Articles tagged with Estrogen
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered a way to improve thought processes in female mice by recharging a naturally occurring estrogen receptor in the brain. This breakthrough suggests that drugs can be developed to offset cognitive decline related to low estrogen levels, protecting against neurological diseases.
Researchers at the University of Missouri discovered significant changes in the brain's vascular system after menopause. The study advises extreme caution when using estrogen-based hormone therapies due to potential complications and adverse effects on vascular health.
Researchers have identified a new family of compounds that can effectively treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers resistant to tamoxifen. The compounds, including TPBM and related agents, work by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells stimulated by estrogen.
A new animal study suggests that estrogen treatment is not toxic per se, but its effects on the brain depend on an individual's reproductive age. In rats, estrogen therapy reduced brain damage when given before menopause, but increased it after, highlighting a narrow window of time for neuroprotective benefits.
A research study has found that a simple blood test can indicate whether post-menopausal hormone therapies increase the risk of a heart attack. Women with favorable cholesterol levels were not at increased risk of developing heart problems while taking hormones, whereas those with unfavorable cholesterol levels were at higher risk.
A study of 121,700 women found that postmenopausal hormone therapy is associated with a higher risk of stroke, even in younger women taking hormones near menopause. The risk was strongest for those taking larger doses and longer durations of hormone therapy.
A randomized controlled trial found that conjugated equine estrogen increased the risk of benign proliferative breast disease by more than two-fold. Women taking estrogen supplements had 155 cases of benign disease compared to 77 in the placebo group.
A new study in mice found that moderate and high doses of estrogen replacement therapy increased problems in the kidney and heart. The results suggest that ERT dosage may be an important determinant in a woman's overall health.
Researchers at Yale University found that exposure to DES alters HOXA10 gene expression, leading to uterine cancer and fertility problems in female offspring. Long-term effects of similar substances like BPA on reproductive health remain a concern.
A recent study found that post-menopausal women who stopped taking combined hormone therapy experienced an increased risk of all cancers, including lung cancer. The research, led by Rowan T. Chlebowski, confirms previous findings on the risks of hormone therapy.
A follow-up study of WHI participants found an increased risk of invasive breast cancer and other cancers in women taking estrogen plus progestin. The risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots decreased after the intervention was stopped.
Researchers have found that hormone replacement therapy does not significantly affect the risk of developing or exacerbating rheumatoid arthritis. The study analyzed data from over 27,000 postmenopausal women taking part in a clinical trial, revealing no notable differences between those on hormone replacement therapy and placebo groups.
A five-year grant aims to uncover the genetic mechanism behind increased sensitivity to estrogen due to low-dose BPA exposure, which may predispose men to prostate cancer later in life. The study will use human prostate-like structures and animal models to characterize dose-response and gene modifications.
Researchers have found that 400 chemicals resist breaking down in the environment, affecting fish and wildlife, and potentially human health. The study also reveals pesticides can be more toxic when combined, threatening salmon populations and human health.
Researchers found that miniscule amounts of synthetic estrogen in municipal wastewater can decimate wild fish populations living downstream, causing feminization and reproductive issues. Removing estrogen through wastewater treatment can reverse the adverse impact on wild fish populations, offering a glimmer of hope for recovery.
A 15-year study found women with low bone mineral density and a previous vertebral fracture had a higher risk of new vertebral fractures compared to those with normal bone density and no previous fracture. Women who experienced a new fracture were more likely to have a positive fracture history, weigh less, and report lower estrogen use.
Researchers found that despite strong contradictory evidence, favorable citations for vitamin E persisted in medical literature until 2005. For beta-carotene and estrogen, similar findings were observed, with a majority of citing articles remaining favorable even after contradicting evidence was published.
Researchers found that extracts of channel catfish caught in polluted waters can activate estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, leading to cell growth. The study suggests that pharmaceutical estrogens and xeno-estrogenic chemicals are contaminating local waterways.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a novel mechanism to predict survival in older women with early-stage lung cancer. Higher levels of aromatase, an enzyme that produces estrogen, are associated with more aggressive disease and lower survival rates in women over 65.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that hormone therapy taken in early post-menopause has no effect on women's memory, but may lead to increased sexual interest. The research involved 180 women who underwent tests on cognitive function, emotional status, and sleep.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine found that a byproduct of cholesterol metabolism, 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), interferes with the protective effects of estrogen on the cardiovascular system. When 27HC levels are high relative to estrogen, it blocks estrogen's function and leads to a loss of protection against heart disease.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered a gene called AP2C that plays a linchpin role in estrogen signaling pathways. Silencing this gene significantly decreased tumor growth and delayed establishment of tumors in mice.
A study by Georgetown University researchers found that estrogen is necessary for breast cancer development but tumors become unresponsive to estrogen and anti-estrogen therapies after they form. This explains why oophorectomies help prevent breast cancer in women with BRCA1 mutations
The study found that women who had both ovaries removed but were treated with estrogen until age 50 did not have an increased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia. Women who had one or both ovaries removed before menopause faced a higher long-term risk of cognitive impairment or dementia compared to those who retained their ovaries.
Researchers have discovered a specific form of estrogen that can protect the brain from degeneration without increasing cancer risk. This 'designer estrogen' offers potential for treating multiple sclerosis and combating other age-related brain diseases.
Research reveals that estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus serve as a master switch to control food intake, energy expenditure, and body fat distribution. The study shows that when these receptors are destroyed, animals immediately begin to eat more, burn less energy, and gain weight.
Research suggests that female gender is associated with slower progression rates in certain renal diseases, possibly due to the protective effects of estrogen on kidney health. Estrogen inhibits the activity of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), which promotes scarring in the kidneys.
A study in aged female rats suggests estrogen depletion may trigger high blood pressure and obesity after menopause. The researchers found that estrogen-depleted rats experienced significant weight gain, increased blood glucose levels, and elevated blood pressure compared to intact rats.
Researchers found that Src, a protein that cooperates with estrogen to break down ER-alpha, is overexpressed in ER-alpha–negative breast cancers. Src inhibition was shown to impair estrogen-stimulated ER-alpha proteolysis, suggesting that Src may stimulate estrogen-dependent ER-alpha degradation in these tumors.
A new study conducted at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that cyclical estrogen injections protected brain cells from age-related deterioration. The research suggests that a critical window of opportunity exists in which estrogen therapy may be helpful in preventing memory loss, and that timing is crucial.
A substudy of the Women's Health Initiative found that younger postmenopausal women on estrogen-alone hormone therapy had 30-40% less coronary artery calcium than those without hormone therapy. However, the benefits of estrogen for preventing cardiovascular disease are uncertain and should not be used as a preventive measure.
New data from the Women's Health Initiative study show that women aged 50-59 taking oral estrogen therapy have significantly less coronary artery calcification compared to those taking placebo. This finding supports the initiation of estrogen therapy in these younger menopausal women to reduce bone loss and alleviate symptoms.
A follow-up study shows that estrogen use is associated with lower levels of calcified plaque in coronary arteries, a potential indicator of heart disease. However, other health risks, such as increased risk of blood clots and stroke, must still be considered before starting estrogen therapy.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that women consuming most of their daily calcium from food have healthier bones than those relying on supplements. The study showed a significant association between dietary calcium intake and increased production of active estrogen metabolites, favoring bone density and osteoporosis prevention.
Researchers found that COX inhibitors like traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may counteract the potential heart-protective effects of estrogen therapy. Women who used NSAIDs with hormone replacement therapy had a lost protective effect against heart attack and stroke.
Researchers are investigating the best time to start hormone therapy, its impact on cognition and mood, and the most beneficial form of estrogen. The $3.4 million KEEPS study aims to clarify the safety and effectiveness of hormone therapy in perimenopausal women.
A new study at Ohio State University found that estrogens increase aggression in mice during short days and decrease it during long days. The researchers identified the mechanisms underlying this interaction, revealing a genomic pathway for estrogen's effects in long-day mice and a different cellular mechanism for short-day mice.
Researcher William Helferich reviews the science on soy and breast cancer, noting that some studies have yielded contradictory findings. He suggests that exposure to genistein before puberty may reduce breast tumor growth, but warns about the risks of using isoflavone supplements in midlife women.
New research reveals that active estrogen metabolites are a strong predictor of bone mineral density in men. Higher levels of these hormones tend to result in higher bone density, while lower levels increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Research suggests that estrogen's effects on the hippocampus can lead to increased excitatory synapses and enhanced learning, but also suppress inhibitory synapses, resulting in seizure activity. The study proposes novel therapeutic targets for anti-epileptic drugs, exploiting estrogen's rapid impact on neurotransmitter vesicles.
Researchers found genetic polymorphisms associated with hormone levels, including lower progesterone levels and increased testosterone, linked to hotter flashes. Obesity was also linked to higher testosterone and lower estrogen levels, while moderate alcohol consumption reduced hot flash severity in some women.
Breast cancer researchers identified the CEACAM6 gene as a unique mediator of aggressiveness and spread in AI-resistant breast cancer cells. The study suggests CEACAM6 may be an important biomarker for metastasis, making it a potential target for novel treatments.
Research found that estrogen improves host response after traumatic injury and decreases liver enzymes associated with damage. The study identified the critical cell surface receptor, GPR30, involved in estrogen's protective effects on the liver.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have discovered that estradiol helps maintain bone density by stopping the activation of caspase-3, an enzyme involved in osteoblast apoptosis. This finding suggests that estrogens may prevent both bone loss and fractures through anti-apoptotic effects on bone cells.
A study using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging identified the neural networks involved in processing reward-related functions modulated by female gonadal steroid hormones. The research found that women exhibit increased reactivity in regions dealing with emotions, such as the amygdalo-hippocampal region, during the follicular phase.
A study at NIMH found that brain reward circuit activity ebbs and flows with a woman's hormonal cycle. Women exhibited more active circuitry during the pre-ovulation phase dominated by estrogen compared to the post-ovulatory phase, suggesting links between hormone fluctuations and mood disorders.
Researchers found an association between the use of products containing lavender oil and/or tea tree oil and prepubertal gynecomastia in young males. Laboratory studies confirmed that these oils can mimic estrogen effects and inhibit androgen effects, leading to breast tissue growth.
Researchers found estrogen induces expression of PI-9, a granzyme inhibitor that prevents immune cells from killing tumor cells. High levels of estrogen increase resistance to immune attack in breast cancer cells.
Research at Yale University reveals estrogen regulates brain energy metabolism similarly to leptin, leading to a promising avenue for addressing obesity in those resistant to leptin. The study's findings suggest that estrogen may suppress appetite using independent pathways from leptin, making it a potential target for weight management.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that postmenopausal women with colon cancer who used estrogen supplements within five years of diagnosis had a lower chance of dying from the disease. This finding may guide the development of safer colon cancer drugs.
Women with higher physical activity levels have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, especially for estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative tumors. Physical activity reduces body fat, leading to lower estrogen levels and potentially decreasing ER+/PR+ tumors.
A new study found that short days increase estrogen's effects on male mice's aggression, while long days decrease it. The researchers identified the mechanisms behind this interaction, which may have implications for human aggression and cancer.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that women on hormone therapy are more sensitive to negative events and can process emotions similarly to younger women. However, hormone therapy does not improve memory for negative events, suggesting that the brain's arousal system is modified with age.
A new study found that postmenopausal women who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight have lower levels of circulating estrogens, which can fuel breast cancer growth. The research suggests that combining weight control with high physical activity is necessary for keeping estrogen levels at a healthy range.
Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified a new molecular pathway that helps breast cancer cells survive. The pathway involves estrogen, BCA3 protein, and SIRT1, and has potential as a target for chemotherapy enhancement.
Researchers discovered that estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) binds to a novel enhancer in the cyclin D1 gene (CCND1), promoting estrogen-responsive cell proliferation. This basic understanding may lead to the development of improved therapies for patients with breast cancer.
A new study by Mayo Clinic found that preventive ovary removal in younger women may lead to an increased risk of death from all causes, including estrogen-related cancers and diseases of the brain and cardiovascular system. The study suggests that hormone replacement therapy is crucial for these women.
A study of 124 women found that hormone-replacement therapy with progestin resulted in a 10-30% increase in hearing loss compared to estrogen-only or non-HRT groups. Women on progestin showed signs of damage in both the inner ear and brain used for hearing.
A study found that lower estrogen levels, particularly estradiol and its metabolites, are associated with an increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Women with lower estradiol concentrations had a higher odds of developing knee OA.
Women taking estrogen and testosterone therapy may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those not using hormone therapy. The study found that women on long-term use of estrogen plus testosterone had a 77% increased risk of breast cancer.