Sex Steroid Hormones, Oral Contraceptives, and HRT Flashcards
What % of sex steroid hormones are bound to SHBG and albumin?
98%
Why are they bound to SHBG?
To protect against liver metabolism of free hormones
What causes SHBG to be produced?
Oestrogens upregulate SHBG production
Where are sex steroids stored within the body and why?
Within fatty tissue as they are lipophilic
How are sex stroid metabolites excreted?
In faeces as glucuronide, and urine as sulphates
What are the oestrogen receptors in the body?
ERα and ERβ
Apart from ERα and ERβ, are there other oestorgen receptors?
Not in normal physiology, but there can be in cancer
What are the progesterone receptors in the body?
PR-A and PR-B
What are the androgen receptors in the body?
AR-1 and AR-2
Where do AR-1 receptors exist within the body?
Testes, penis, and prostate
Where do AR-2 receptors exist within the body?
Liver, bone, and hair follicles
What happens when oestrogen binds to an oestrogen receptor?
Oestrogen response element responds to stimulus by starting processes like transcription. Response is regulated by co-factors and integrators.
In terms of the response to oestrogen, how do cofactors and integrators act?
Co-factors act to stabilise the process so more transcription takes place.
Integrator are mainly negative in action.
Why are oestrogen receptors alpha and beta, but androgen and progesterone A&B/1&2?
ERs are generated from different genes on different chromosomes, but ARs and PRs are isoforms generated from alternate splicing of genes
When does steroid receptor expression vary?
Throughout the menstrual cycle
When in the menstrual cycle are more ER alpha receptors expressed?
Proliferative phase
When in the menstrual cycle are more ER beta receptors expressed?
Secretory phase
When in the menstrual cycle are more AR receptors expressed?
Late secretory phase
When in the menstrual cycle are more PR receptors expressed?
More in glands in proliferative phase, but more in stroma in secretory phase
What are synthetic progestagens called?
Progestins
What drug classes can we use to target steroid hormone receptors?
- Natural/synthetic sex steroid hormones i.e. agonists
- Inhibitors and Antagonists
- Mixed agonists/antagonists
Name some examples of inhibitors and antagonists of steroid hormone receptors.
Clomiphene
Finesteride
RU 486
Actually these are all partial agonists, technically speaking.
Name some examples of mixed agonist/antagonists of steroid hormone receptors.
SERMs (selective oestrogen receptor modulators)
SPRMs
SARMs
What is the major effect of oestradiol in the body?
Stimulates endometrial and breast growth, and progesterone receptor production.
What is the major effect of progesterone in the body?
Stimulates endometrial and breast growth, and inhibits oestrogen receptor production. Maintains pregnancy.
What is the major effect of testosterone in the body?
Stimulates male characteristics (hair, voice, anabolism, agression).
What are sex steroid hormones synthesised from?
Cholesterol