Pharmacology of Estrogens/Progestins Flashcards
Estradiol 17B (E2)
most estrogenic action
Synthetic Steroidal Estrogens
- Ethinyl estradiol
- Mestranol
- Quienestrol
Synthetic Non-steroidal Estrogens
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
- Chlorotrianisene
- Methallenestril
Pathway of GnRH secretion
hypothalamic-pituitary portal system to gonadotrophs of anterior pituitary to increase LH and FSH
LH actions in females
LH –> Thecal cells to synthesize androgen –> estrone E1/Estradiol (E2) in the Granulosa cells via FSH
LH actions in males
LH –> testicular Leydig cells to increase synthesis of Testosterone –> diffuses to neighboring Sertoli cells
What do Sertoli and Granulosa cells synthesize and secrete?
Inhibit A/Inhibin B and Activin
What does Inhibin/Activin regulate?
FSH
-do not regulate LH release
Where does hormone-receptor complex act?
Dimerizes in nucleus binds to specific regions of DNA; complex with co-activators and co-repressors and different transcription factors
What are three actions of Estrogen?
- Growth, development, structural maintenance of primary and secondary female sex characteristics
- Growth of uterine endometrium during cycle
- Secretion of thin mucus
What are the metabolic action of estrogen?
- Increase circulating HDL, decrease LDL
- Inc. cholesterol saturation of bile
- Inc. BP via renin substrate
- Promote thrombosis
- Decrease bone reabsorption
- Inc. liver protein synthesis
Major clinical uses of Estrogens
- component of oral contraceptives
- HRT during menopause
- HRT for delayed puberty;hypogonadism in women
- Rx of perimenopause (menopause transition years), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), oligomenorrhea (infer. uterine bleeding)
- Rx for acne
Drug indications for Estrogen preparations
- Vasomotor symptoms of menopause
- Vulvar vaginal atrophy
- Female hypoestrogenism secondary to hypogonadism castration or primary ovarian failure
- In combination with other therapeutic measures to retard bone loss and osteoporosis in post menopausal women
Side effects of Estrogen preparations
- Nausea Vomiting
- Edema
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Venous thrombosis
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Estrogen alone (without progesterone) causes endometrial hyperplasia and possible endometrial carcinoma
- Increased incidence of adenocarcinoma of vagina in female offsprings of patients who taken DES
Contraindication of Estrogen preparations
- Breast and Endometrial cancers
- Cerebral vascular coronary artery disease
- Benign or malignant liver tumors
- Severe hypertension
- Pregnancy
- Female smokers over 35 years of age
- Thrombotic disorders
Name three Selective use of Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERMs)
Tamoxifen
Clomiphene
Raloxifene
What is the indication for Tamoxifen (SERM)?
used for prevention, palliative, and as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancer
Mechanism of Action for Tamoxifen (SERM)
acts as an estrogen receptor antagonist in breast tissue and as a partial agonist in endometrium and bone
Side effects of Tamoxifen (SERM)
- malignant neoplasm of endometrium
- cataracts
- pulmonary embolism
- Hot flashes
- Abnormal menstruation
- Vaginal discharge
Contraindication of SERM
- History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- Pregnancy
Therapeutic Considerations for Tamoxifen (SERM)
- Tamoxifen administration is associated with 4 - 6 fold increase incidence of endometrial cancer
- Administered for no more than 5 years, to minimize the risk of endometrial cancer
Drug Indications for Clomiphene
-used for female infertility due to ovulatory disorder
Mechanism of Action for Clomiphene
- estrogen receptor antagonist in hypothalamus and pituitary gland, and partial agonist in ovaries
- disinhibits GnRH release and inc. level of LH and FSH
- inc. FSH stimulates follicle growth, LH surge and ovulation