We have developed a """"""""hormonal milieu bioassay"""""""" that can be used to measure the relative concentration, bioavailability, and net bioactivity of estrogens, progestins and their antagonists (e.g., tamoxifen) in serum or other extracts (e.g., saliva). This bioassay provides a rapid, cost effective means to evaluate if the mechanism of action of a known or uncharacterized drug or foodstuff is mediated through estrogen or progesterone receptor pathways and therefore has the potential of impacting the growth behavior of normal and malignant (e.g., breast and uterine cancers) sex hormone sensitive tissues. The bioassay is designed to distinguish estrogen and progestin agonists from antagonists. It utilizes several estrogen/progestin sensitive human breast cancer cell lines which when exposed to estrogens, antiestrogens, and/or progestins respond in a predictable manner that is unique to the concentration, bioactivity and type of hormone(s) present. Serum can be tested directly for hormonal activity without extraction. The bioassay is based on the effects of hormones on binding and receptor activation, end product induction and cell proliferation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44HD027738-03
Application #
2200625
Study Section
Reproductive Endocrinology Study Section (REN)
Project Start
1991-05-01
Project End
1995-01-31
Budget Start
1994-02-01
Budget End
1995-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Aeron Biotechnology, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
San Leandro
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94577
Zava, D T; Dollbaum, C M; Blen, M (1998) Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 217:369-78
Zava, D T; Blen, M; Duwe, G (1997) Estrogenic activity of natural and synthetic estrogens in human breast cancer cells in culture. Environ Health Perspect 105 Suppl 3:637-45
Zava, D T; Duwe, G (1997) Estrogenic and antiproliferative properties of genistein and other flavonoids in human breast cancer cells in vitro. Nutr Cancer 27:31-40