Transvaginal Ultrasound-Guided Core Biopsy-Experiences in a Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

In this paper, we report our experience of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS)-guided core biopsies involving 303 patients referred to the gynaecological ultrasound unit of our national comprehensive cancer centre. Adequate histologic specimens were obtained in 299 patients (98.7%).

Serum estrone concentration, estrone sulfate/estrone ratio and BMI are associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and progesterone receptor status in postmenopausal primary breast cancer patients suffering invasive ductal carcinoma.

Background: We investigated in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer prior to surgical intervention whether, serum levels of different steroid hormones and hormonal precursors associated with tumor tissue estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status.

Methods: We enrolled 1,042 patients suffering invasive ductal carcinoma undergoing surgical resection in the National Institute of Oncology, Hungary between 2003 and 2011. Serum parameters were measured by RIA/IRMA assays; tumor tissue ER, PR and HER2 status was assessed histologically.

Regulation of phase II biotransformation enzymes by steroid hormones.

Phase II biotransformation enzymes conjugate xenobiotics using small, organic donor molecules, such as glutathione, UDP-glucuronic acid, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, acetyl coenzyme A and amino acids (primarily glycine). These reactions generally resulted in detoxification by the loss of pharmacological activity and by quickening the elimination of xenobiotics from the body, however Bioactivation is also known to be occurred. Historically, it was placed more emphasis on research of phase I than of phase II enzymes.

Investigation of the CYP2C9 induction profile in human hepatocytes by combining experimental and modelling approaches.

The goal of the present review is to characterise the induction profile of CYP2C9, a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily. Since the mechanism of CYP2C9 induction is fairly complex, with parallel processes triggered by various inducers, an evaluation of the experimental results is often a great challenge. At least three nuclear receptors, the glucocrticoid receptor (GR), the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), are known to mediate the CYP2C9 gene induction in man.

Vibrational and chiroptical spectroscopic characterization of gamma-turn model cyclic tetrapeptides containing two beta-Ala residues.

The optical spectroscopic characterization of gamma-turns in solution is uncertain and their distinction from beta-turns is often difficult. This work reports systematic ECD and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopic studies on gamma-turn model cyclic tetrapeptides cyclo(Ala-beta-Ala-Pro-beta-Ala) (1), cyclo(Pro-beta-Ala-Pro-beta-Ala) (2) and cyclo(Ala-beta-Ala-Ala-beta-Ala) (3). Conformational analysis performed at the 6-31G(d)/B3LYP level of theory using an adequate PCM solvent model predicted one predominant conformer for 1-3, featuring two inverse gamma-turns.

Limited applicability of 7-methoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin as a CYP2C9-selective substrate.

Fluorometric substrates selective for various cytochrome P450 isoforms (P450s) have great advantages in in vitro enzyme inhibition and induction studies because they are highly sensitive and suitable for rapid screening. 7-Methoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (MFC) has been reported as a CYP2C9-selective substrate. The present study investigated the relative catalytic selectivity of several human P450s in the O-demethylation of MFC and the applicability of MFC as a probe substrate for CYP2C9.

Drug interaction potential of 2-((3,4-dichlorophenethyl)(propyl)amino)-1-(pyridin-3-yl)ethanol (LK-935), the novel nonstatin-type cholesterol-lowering agent.

The widely prescribed lipid-lowering statins are considered to be relatively safe drugs. However, the risk of severe myopathy and drug interactions as a consequence of statin therapy provides a challenge for development of novel cholesterol-lowering agents, targeting enzymes other than HMG-CoA reductase. The novel pyridylethanol-(phenylethyl)amine derivative, (2-((3,4-dichlorophenethyl)(propyl)-amino)-1-(pyridin-3-yl)ethanol (LK-935), blocking lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase, was demonstrated to efficiently reduce cholesterol biosynthesis.

[Crosstalk between cholesterol homeostasis and drug metabolism].

Nowadays cardiovascular diseases are among the major causes of mortality in the developed world. High cholesterol level in blood and atherosclerosis play the main role in progression of cardiovascular diseases. Reducing serum cholesterol level has been shown to avoid deleterious effects, whereas in serious diseases it improves the outcome.

Drug-induced liver graft toxicity caused by cytochrome P450 poor metabolism.

Unlabelled: What is already known about this subject. The activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes, primarily cytochrome P450 enzymes, can determine a patient's response to a drug. Therapeutic failure or drug toxicity in the postoperative period after liver transplantation is influenced by the drug metabolizing capacity of the graft.

Dehydroepiandrosterone induces human CYP2B6 through the constitutive androstane receptor.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the major precursor of androgens and estrogens, has several beneficial effects on the immune system, on memory function, and in modulating the effects of diabetes, obesity, and chemical carcinogenesis. Treatment of rats with DHEA influences expression of cytochrome P450 (P450) genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha)- and pregnane X receptor (PXR)-mediated induction of CYP4As and CYP3A23, and suppression of CYP2C11. DHEA treatment elevated the expression and activities of CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2B6 in primary cultures of human hepatocytes.

Biotransformation of deramciclane in primary hepatocytes of rat, mouse, rabbit, dog, and human.

The metabolic fate of deramciclane [(1R,2S,4R)-(-)-2-phenyl-2-(2'-dimethylamino-ethoxy)-1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane], a new anxiolytic drug candidate, has been determined in rat, mouse, rabbit, dog, and human hepatocytes.

Role of CYP2E1 in deramciclane metabolism.

The aim of our study was to identify the form(s) of cytochrome P450 responsible for the metabolism of deramciclane, a new anxiolytic drug candidate. The main routes of biotransformation in hepatic microsomes were side chain modification (N-demethylation or total side chain cleavage) and hydroxylation at several points of the molecule. Although several cytochrome P450 forms were involved in the metabolism, the role of CYP2E1 should be emphasized, since it catalyzed almost all steps.

The effect of synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone on CYP1A1 inducibility in adult rat and human hepatocytes.

Glucocorticoids act synergistically with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in increasing mRNA and protein levels of CYP1A1 in rat liver. The action of dexamethasone to modify CYP1A1 expression has been investigated in adult human hepatocytes. The effect of dexamethasone on the induction of CYP1A1 by 3-methylcholanthrene is different in rat and human liver cells.