Allopregnanolone, pregnenolone sulfate, and epitestosterone in breast cyst fluid

The risk of breast cancer is 2 to 5 times higher in patients suffering from gross cystic disease. Breast cysts are categorized into two groups (type I and type II) according to the concentration of electrolytes in the cyst fluid. The two types also differ with respect to accumulation of steroids and steroidogenic enzyme activity. In type I cysts a higher risk of breast carcinoma could be expected. Here, we studied a possible relationship between the type of cyst and levels of epitestosterone (an endogenous antiandrogen), allopregnanolone (a product of 5alpha-reductase activity), and pregnenolone-sulfate (an activator of N-methyl-D-asparate receptors). We have found five times higher levels of epitestosterone in BCF in comparison with the circulation. Allopregnanolone levels were similar to those in plasma of women in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Pregnenolone-sulfate levels in BCF were about two orders of magnitude higher when compared with the circulation. No differences were found in concentrations of the steroids studied between the types of cysts.