Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on three sex steroids in two versions of the aromatase enzyme inhibition assay and in the H295R cell assay.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are known to have a range of disorders that are often linked to the endocrine system e.g. hormonal imbalances, breast enlargement, sexual dysfunction, and menstrual cycle disorders.

H295R cells as a model for steroidogenic disruption: a broader perspective using simultaneous chemical analysis of 7 key steroid hormones.

The effects of three model endocrine disruptors, prochloraz, ketoconazole and genistein on steroidogenesis were tested in the adrenocortical H295R cell line to demonstrate that a broader mechanistic understanding can be achieved in one assay by applying chemical analysis to the H295R assay. Seven key steroid hormones (pregnenolone, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, testosterone, estrone and 17β-estradiol) were analyzed using a novel and thoroughly validated GC-MS/MS method. In addition to the simultaneous quantification of 7 steroid hormones, the present method also negates the potential problems of cross-reactivity that can be encountered in some immunoassays.