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Introduction: Pre-, post-menopausal and male human osteoblasts (hObs) express estradiol-17β (E2) receptors α and β (ERα, ERβ), vitamin D receptor (VDR) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 1-α hydroxylase (1OHase) and produce 1,25 (OH)2D3 (1,25D). Pre-treatment with JKF (JKF 1624F2-2) up-regulated estrogenic responsiveness, via modulation of ERs expression and E2 binding. These estrogens induce VDR and 1OHase expression and 1,25D production. Purpose: Compared the effects of femarelle (F) to daidzein (D) and E2 by themselves and their modulation by JKF. Methods: hObs derived from human bones at different ages and sex were cultured, treated with different hormones and analyzed for the different parameters. Results: (1) F, D and E2 stimulated 3[H] thymidine incorporation (DNA) and creatine kinase specific activity (CK) in female but not in male hObs. The responses to E2 and to D unlike to F were up-regulated by JKF. (2) All hormones increased ERα and decreased ERβ mRNA in all hObs. (3) JKF modulated in different ways the expressions of ERα and ERβ mRNA in all hObs. (4) JKF did not significantly modulate the expressions of ERα and ERβ mRNA in all hObs. (5) JKF increased intracellular competitive binding of E2 by all hormones only in female hObs. (6) Pre-treatment with all hormones increased VDR and 1OHase expression and 1,25D formation in pre- and post-, but only JKF modulated it in male hObs. Conclusions: F, D and E2 increase different parameters in hObs. However, pre-treatment with JKF modulates the effect of E2 and D but not of F. F reciprocally modulates mRNA expression and activity of 1OHase which in turn up-regulate ERs expression and activity. These finding may contribute to F's beneficial role in treatment of post-menopausal bone loss even in vitamin D deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and 25 hydroxyy vitamin D 1-α hydroxylase (1OHase) mRNA are expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In these cells estrogenic hormones modulate cell proliferation as measured by DNA synthesis (DNA). In the present study we determined whether or not the calciotrophic hormones PTH 1–34 (PTH) and less- calcemic vitamin D analog QW as well as hyperglycemia can regulate DNA synthesis and CK. E2 had a bimodal effect on VSMC DNA synthesis, such that proliferation was inhibited at 30 nM but stimulated at 0.3 nM. PTH at 50 nM increased, whereas QW at 10 nM inhibited DNA synthesis. Hyperglycemia inhibited the effects on high E2, QW and PTH on DNA only. Both QW and PTH increased ERα mRNA expression, but only PTH increased ERβ expression. Likewise, both PTH and QW stimulated VDR and 1OHase expression and activity. ERβ, VDR and 1OHase expression and activity were inhibited by hyperglycemia, but ERα expression was unaffected by hyperglycemia. In conclusion, calcitrophic hormones modify VSMC growth and concomitantly affect ER expression in these cells as well as the endogenous VSMC vitamin D system elements, including VDR and 1OHase. Some of the later changes may likely participate in growth effects. Of importance in the observation is that several regulatory effects are deranged in the presence of hyperglycemia, particularly the PTH- and vitamin D-dependent up regulation of VDR and 1OHase in these cells. The implications of these effects require further studies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘17th Vitamin D Workshop’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] JK increased DNA and CK in SaOS2 and up-regulated the E2 stimulated parameters. [•] JK inhibited DNA, increased CK in VSMC and upregulated the CK response to E2. [•] JK stimulated only VDR and ERα, 12LO and 15LO, but not ERβ and 1OHase in SaOS2. [•] In VSMC JK stimulated 12LO, 15LO, VDR and ERα with no effect on ERβ and 1OHase. [•] Our new vitamin D less-calcemic analog is similar in its biological effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cultured female-derived human bone cells (hObs) responded by different parameters to different phytoestrogenic and vitamin D compounds. Pre- and post-menopausal hObs express ERα and ERβ mRNA with higher abundance of ERα. Pre-treatment with the less-calcemic vitamin D analog JKF 1624F2-2 (JKF) upregulated responsiveness to estrogens via modulation of ERs expression. These estrogenic compounds induce the expression and activity of 25 hydroxy-vitamin D3-1α hydroxylase (1OHase). We now analyzed the effects of carboxy-genistein (cG), carboxy-biocainin A (cBA) and carboxy-daidzein (cD), of BA, D or G and of licorice derived compounds glabridin (Glb) and glabrene (Gla) and estradiol-17β (E2) on DNA synthesis, creatine kinase specific activity (CK), intracellular and membranal E2 binding and their modulations by JKF in hObs. We also analyzed modulation by phytoestrogenic compounds of 1OHase mRNA expression and activity. We showed that: (1) all compounds stimulated DNA synthesis and CK. (2) JKF and all estrogenic compounds modulated ERα and ERβ mRNA expression. (3) Pre-treatment with JKF increased DNA synthesis and CK responses only to E2, D, G and Gla. (4) JKF increased the intracellular competitive binding only of E2, D and G. (5) JKF abolished the membranal binding of all protein-bound estrogens. (6) JKF and all estrogenic compounds except the protein-bound ones up-regulated 1OHase expression and activity. In conclusion phytoestrogens and their analogs increase DNA synthesis and CK, and lead to increased production of 1,25(OH)2D3 in hObs, while pre-treatment with JKF modulates the effect of estrogenic compounds via regulation of ERs mRNA expression in a yet unclear mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The incidence of thyroid cancer is up to 3 folds higher in women than in men, suggesting that estrogenic effects may be involved in the pathogenesis of this malignancy. Here, we explore whether or not human thyroid cancer cell growth can be curbed by a novel isoflavone derivative generated in our laboratory, the N-t-Boc-hexylenediamine derivative of 7-(O)-carboxymethyl daidzein (cD-tboc). With the exception of the follicular cancer cell line WRO, estrogen receptor (ER)α mRNA was only marginally expressed in cell lines derived from papillary (NPA), follicular (MRO), anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ARO) such that the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) βmRNA was more abundant than that of ERα mRNA in these cell types. Estradiol-17β (E2; 0.03–300nmol/l) per se increased proliferation in all four cell-types. The ERβ-specific agonist DPN increased [3H]-thymidine incorporation in all four thyroid cancer cell lines, whereas the ERα-specific agonist PPT increased growth only in NPA and WRO. By contrast, cD-tboc, derived from the weak estrogen daidzein, did not cause cell growth and dose-dependently diminished cell growth in all four cell lines via apoptosis and not necrosis, as detected by the release of histone-DNA fragments. The cytotoxic growth inhibitory effect of cD-tboc in these cells was modulated by E2 and the general caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, and the magnitude of this salvage was cell type-and dose-dependent. When nude mice carrying ARO thyroid xenografts were treated with cD-tboc, tumor volume decreased significantly, and no apparent toxicity was observed. These results suggest that cD-tboc may be a promising agent for therapy of thyroid carcinoma either alone or in combination with existing cytotoxic drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vitamin D metabolites and its less-calcemic analogs (vitamin D compounds) are beneficial for bone and modulate cell growth and energy metabolism. We now analyze whether 25(OH)D3 (25D), 1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25D), 24,25(OH)2D3 (24,25D), JKF1624F2-2 (JKF) or QW1624F2-2 (QW) regulate lipooxygenase (LO) mRNA expression and its products; hydroxyl-eicosatetraenoic acid (12 and 15HETE) formation, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human bone cell line (SaOS2) and their interplay with modulation of cell proliferation and energy metabolism. All compounds except 25D increased 12LO mRNA expression and modulated 12 and 15HETE production whereas ROS production was increased by all compounds, and inhibited by NADPH oxidase inhibitors diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and N-acetylcysteine (NAc). Baicaleine (baic) the inhibitor of 12 and 15LO activity blocked only slightly the stimulation of DNA synthesis by all compounds, whereas DPI inhibited almost completely the stimulation of DNA and CK by all compounds. Treatments of cells with 12 or 15HETE increased DNA synthesis and CK that were only slightly inhibited by DPI. These results indicate that vitamin D compounds increased oxidative stress in osteoblasts in part via induction of LO expression and activity. The increased ROS production mediates partially elevated cell proliferation and energy metabolism, whereas the LO mediation is not essential. This new feature of vitamin D compounds is mediated by intracellular and/or membranal binding sites and its potential hazard could lead to damage due to increased lipid oxidation, although the transient mediation of ROS in cell proliferation is beneficial to bone growth in a yet unknown mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have reported previously, that female-derived cultured osteoblasts (hObs) responded to DT56a (Femarelle) measured by the stimulation of creatine kinase specific activity (CK), which is a marker for hormone responsiveness and 3[H] thymidine incorporation into DNA (DNA synthesis). Since the skeletal protective effects of estrogens are not discernable in hyperglycemic diabetic women, we sought to analyze the effect of estrogenic compounds on CK and DNA synthesis in hObs when grown in high glucose concentration (HG). Cells were grown either in normal glucose (NG) (4.5g/L; 22mM) or HG (9.0g/L; 44mM) for 7 days. HG increased constitutive CK but, the response of CK activity and DNA synthesis to estradiol-17β (E2) treatment was reduced. In contrary, DT56a was found to be active (as measured by CK activity and DNA synthesis) in both NG and HG. HG decreases the hormonal responsiveness and might block important effects of estrogenic compounds, most likely contributing to their decreased skeletal preserving properties in hyperglycemic women. In hObs from post-menopausal women grown in HG, ERs mRNA expressions were unchanged. On the other hand, in hObs from pre-menopausal women HG increased ERs mRNA expressions. Since DT56a unlike E2 is active in HG environment as well as in normal glucose, it may be an effective bone restoring agent in diabetic post-menopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the response of rat female pituitary at different metabolic stages to treatments with estrogenic compounds and vitamin D analogs. Immature or ovariectomized (Ovx) female rats responded by increased creatine kinase specific activity (CK) to estradiol-17β (E2), genistein (G), daidzein (D), biochainin A (BA), quecertin (Qu), carboxy- G (cG), carboxy- BA (cBA), and raloxifene (Ral). The response was inhibited when Ral was injected together with the estrogens. CK was increased when hormones were injected daily into Ovx rats for 4 different time periods. Pretreatment with the less-calcemic vitamin D analogs JK 1624 F2-2 (JKF) or QW 1624 F2-2 (QW) followed by estrogenic injection resulted in increased response and sensitivity to E2 and loss of inhibition of E2 by Ral. CK was also increased by feeding with E2 or licorice or its components dose- and time- dependent in immature or Ovxrats. Diabetic female rats did not respond to increased doses of E2. In conclusion, rat female pituitary is estrogens-responsive organ, suggesting to consider its response for HRT in postmenopausal women for both beneficial and hazardous aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Estradiol-17β (E2) and some phytoestrogens induce a biphasic effect on DNA synthesis in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), i.e., stimulation at low concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations. These compounds also increase the specific activity of creatine kinase (CK) as well as intracellular Ca2+ concentration in both VSMC and human female-derived cultured bone cells (OBs), and stimulate ERK1/2 phosphorylation in VSMC. At least some of these effects are exerted via membranal binding sites (mER), as would appear from observations that protein-bound, membrane impermeant estrogenic complexes can mimic the effect of E2 on DNA synthesis, intracellular Ca2+ concentration and MAPK, but not on CK activity. We now extend these studies by examining the effects of a novel carboxy-derivative of biochanin A, 6-carboxy-biochanin A (cBA) in VSMC and human osteoblasts in culture. cBA increased DNA synthesis in VSMC in a dose-dependent manner and was able to maintain this effect when linked to a cell membrane impermeable protein. In VSMC both cBA and estradiol, in their free or protein-bound forms induced a steep and immediate rise in intracellular calcium. Both the free and protein-bound conjugates of cBA and estradiol increased net MAPK-kinase activity. Neither the stimulatory effect of cBA nor the inhibitory effect of estradiol on DNA synthesis in VSMC could be shown in the presence of the MAPK-kinase inhibitor UO126. The presence of membrane binding sites for both estradiol and cBA was supported by direct visualization, using fluorescence labeling of their respective protein conjugates, E2-BSA and cBA-ovalbumin. Furthermore, these presumed membrane ER for estradiol and cBA were co-localized. In cultured human osteoblasts, cBA stimulated CK activity in a dose related fashion, which paralleled the increase in CK induced by estradiol per se, confirming the estrogenic properties of cBA in human bone cells. Both the free and protein-bound forms of cBA elicited immediate and substantial increments in intracellular Ca2+, similar to, but usually larger than the responses elicited by estradiol per se. cBA also increased ERα and suppressed ERβ mRNA expression in human osteoblasts. Cultured human osteoblasts also harbor membrane binding sites for protein-bound form of cG, which are co-localized with the binding sites for protein-bound estradiol. The extent to which these properties of the novel synthetic phytoestrogen derivatives may be utilized to avert human vascular and/or bone disease requires further study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies from our laboratory revealed that direct application of physical strain (PS) to cultured bone cells stimulated synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a specific population of cells. We found that PGE2 induced the cellular production of cAMP in several bone cell types, whereas the induction of DNA synthesis was limited to osteoblastlike cells. Indirect evidence indicated that PS induced the osteoblastlike cells to synthesize PGE2. Other cell types, for example, chondrocytes, when activated by PS, can be induced to produce cAMP and induce DNA synthesis not mediated by PGE2. We have also found that electric stimulation of different populations of bone cells is specifically induced by a certain intensity of the electric field. It seems that electric stimulus circumvents the PGE2 effect and triggers the adenyl cyclase system in the cell directly. The electric field also induces DNA synthesis not via PGE2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen receptors (ERs) are expressed in various “non-reproductive” cancer cell types. Some cancer types express 1α-hydroxylase 25-hydroxy vitamin D (1OHase) whose product, 1,25(OH)2D3 can retard cancer cell proliferation. Thyroid carcinoma cell growth is apparently promoted by estrogens, but whether or not this interaction is modified by vitamin D metabolites/analogs is presently unknown. Here we assessed the effect of a less calcemic vitamin D analog [JK 1624 F2-2 (JKF)] in three human thyroid cancer cell lines: ARO (anaplastic carcinoma), NPA (papillary carcinoma) and MRO (follicular carcinoma). (1) All cell lines expressed both ERα and ERβ, vitamin D receptor (VDR) and 1OHase mRNA quantified by Real Time PCR. There was a general abundance of ERβ over ERα expression, such that the ratio of ERβ to ERα mRNA was >1000:1, 228:1 and 7.7:1 in ARO, MRO and NPA cells, respectively. (2) JKF up regulated ERβ expression in ARO (by 110±15%) and MRO (by 280±10%) but down regulated ERβ in NPA cells (by 40±15%). The expression of VDR was up regulated by JKF in NPA (21±6%), down regulated in ARO (−24±7%) and not affected in MRO. (3) All three human thyroid cancer cell lines were found to express 1OHase, which was up regulated by JKF in MRO (350±25%) and NPA (35±8%) but down regulated in ARO (−20±5%). This is the first report to describe direct regulation of VDR and 1OHase expression by a vitamin D analog in human thyroid cancer cells. A functional role for the vitamin D system in human thyroid cancer is suggested by the finding that the vitamin D analog can affect ERs expression which is in turn involved in estrogen-induced cell growth in an ER-type specific manner in these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vitamin D metabolites or its less-calcemic analogs (JKF or QW) are beneficial for bone biology. We analyzed whether or not 25(OH)D3 (25), 1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25), JKF or QW regulate lipooxygenase (LO) enzymes expression and their products hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12 and 15 HETE) formation as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human bone cell lines (SaOS2 and hFOB) and primary cultured human bone cells (Obs) from males or females. All compounds except 25 increased LOs mRNA expression and HETE production in female or male Obs. ROS formation was induced by JKF and QW in both cell lines, and was inhibited by different inhibitors. Baicalein (baic) an inhibitor of 12 and 15 LO activity, inhibited partially ROS formation by JKF or QW in SaSO2 and hFOB. JKF-stimulated DNA synthesis in female Obs was inhibited by baic but unchanged by addition of HETE or HETE with baic. These results indicate that vitamin D increased oxidative stress in bone cells is in part via induction of LO expression and activity. This new feature of vitamin D is probably mediated by intracellular and/or membranal receptors and its potential hazard could lead to potential damage due to increased lipid oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]