Circulating Bioactive Androgens in Midlife Women

Abstract

An androgen receptor-mediated bioassay can provide additional information in the evaluation of total bioactive androgens in midlife women. Our data suggest that levels of circulating SHBG may have a significant impact on the levels of total circulating bioavailable androgens.

Antiandrogenic properties of parabens and other phenolic containing small molecules in personal care products

“…The cells (designated as 2933Y) are highly responsive to endogenous steroids as well as synthetic compounds. The signal induction is stable for more than 60 passages under double antibiotic selection conditions (Chen et al, 2006).…”

“…A full detailed description of the development and application of the cell-based human ARmediated bioassay has been published by Chen et al (Chen et al, 2006). Briefly, the bioassay system employs human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells that lack critical steroid metabolizing enzymes.…”

“…Briefly, the bioassay system employs human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells that lack critical steroid metabolizing enzymes. The cells are stably transfected with PCDNA6-hAR and an MMTVLuc.neo plasmid containing a luciferase reporting gene (Chen et al, 2006). The cells (designated as 2933Y) are highly responsive to endogenous steroids as well as synthetic compounds.…”

“…Cell lysates (30 μL) were then transferred to 96-well Microfluor II plates (Fisher Scientific, Santa Clara, CA). Luciferin substrate was then injected into each well and the luciferase activity induced by the test compounds or T was measured by a Veritas Luminometer (Turner Biosystems, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) (Chen et al, 2006). Luciferase catalyzes luciferin oxidation and the chemical energy of this reaction produces a light which is measured by the luminometer.…”

“…This study investigates the androgenic potential of selected antimicrobial and preservative compounds to which humans are exposed daily. This report specifically focuses on alkyl hydroxyl benzoate (parabens), triclosan and thymol through the application of a recently developed bioassay for human AR ligands (Chen et al, 2006). This cell-based ARmediated bioassay assesses both androgenic and antiandrogenic properties of natural and synthetic compounds and its application provides new information on potential environmental EDS.…”