Effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol on normal human breast / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL) on normal human breast.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten specimens of normal human breast tissues were subcutaneously implanted into 30 athymic nude mice aged 9-10 weeks, one for 3 mice. These mice were then randomly divided into three groups: control group (without hormone treatment, n = 10), 1 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10), and 5 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10). All breast tissues were taken out 6 weeks later. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), inhibiting apoptosis gene Bcl-2, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) mRNA and bridging integrator protein-1 (BIN1) mRNA. Morphological features of grafts before and after treatment were also observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Alpha-ZAL had no significant effects on Bcl-2, PCNA, ER, and PR expression of mammary epithelial cells in graft specimens. Alpha-ZAL upregulated BIN1 mRNA expression in grafts, but had no significant effect on ESTmRNA expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Alpha-ZAL does not affect the morphology, proliferating, and apoptosis of epithelial cells in normal human breast tissues implanted into nude mice, but it may increase the gene expression of tumor-inhibiting BIN1, suggesting that alpha-ZAL may have potential proteotive effect on normal human breast.</p>

Menopausal depression: comparison of hormone replacement therapy and hormone replacement therapy plus fluoxetine / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To compare the efficacy and safety of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) combined with fluoxetine, with HRT alone, in post-menopausal women suffering from depression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, open-label, parallel trial was applied. HRT was administered to all patients for 2 cycles, with 14 days of estrogen therapy and 14 days of estrogen plus progesterone. Patients who were randomly assigned to the HRT plus fluoxetine group were given fluoxetine in combination with HRT. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI), and Clinical Global Impressions scale were used to measure the efficacy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred and twenty-three post-menopausal patients with depression were enrolled in the study. Among them, 120 had at least one post-treatment visit and entered into the statistical analysis. The mean total HAMD scores were significantly lower, and the percentages of HAMD score reductions were higher in the HRT plus fluoxetine Group compared with the HRT Group, after at least 3 weeks of treatment, with an average difference of 5 points at the endpoint. The Clinical Global Impression-Severity and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scores were significantly different in the 2 groups, in favor of the combination therapy. The mean total KMI was significantly lower in the Combination Group compared with the HRT Group, after at least 6 weeks of treatment, with an average 4.5-point difference between the groups. No statistically significant differences were found in most of the adverse events reported in the Combination Group compared with the HRT group, with the exception of 3 symptoms, i.e., dry mouth, loss of appetite, and abdominal distention. They were mild to moderate in severity. Two patients in the HRT group, but none in the combination group, dropped out due to adverse events.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HRT plus fluoxetine therapy was effective in the treatment of menopausal depression with a satisfactory safety profile.</p>

The effect of estrogen benzoate on normal human breast tissue implanted into athymic nude mice / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the proliferating effect of estradiol benzoate on normal human breast tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three specimens of normal human breast tissue were implanted into nine 9-10-week-old intact female athymic nude mice which were randomly divided into group A, B and C. Each specimen was divided into three parts, and each part was implanted into mice of each group of three (A, B and C) respectively. Two weeks later, part of xenografts was taken out from group A as control group, and then group A, B and C were injected muscularly with 3, 6, 9 micrograms estradiol benzoate once daily, respectively. After therapy for 28 days, the grafts were taken out and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), estrogen receptor (ER) and proliferating receptor (PR) in grafts were examined using immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control group, PCNA was increased in group B and C (P < 0.05), but in group A had no significant change. ER was gradually down regulated by 3, 6 and 9 micrograms estradiol benzoate (P < 0.05); however, PR was increasingly up regulated (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Certain dosage of estradiol benzoate has proliferating effect on normal human breast tissue.</p>