[Tissue culture and estrogen, to clarify the roles of estrone sulfate]

Estrone sulfate (E1-S) has been shown to be quantitatively the most important estrogen in peripheral blood. But, the physiological and/or pathological role of E1-S is not yet clarified. At present, we tried to clarify it using tissue cultures. In tissue cultures of human endometrium, secretory endometrium showed higher activity of estrone sulfatase (E1----E1-S) than proliferative endometrium. Progesterone added in the medium induced an increase of estrone sulfotransferase in the proliferative endometrium. The results suggest a reducing effect of estrogen by progesterone in secretory endometrium in physiological conditions. Estrogen dependent malignant tumors (breast cancer, endometrial cancer) have high estrone sulfatase. It converts E1-S to E1 (----E2) which are abundant in these tumors. Ishikawa cell line increased estrone sulfotransferase activity with progesterone, somewhat like the physiological conditions. From out study in vivo, there is a possibility of some ameliorative effects of E1-S on the central nervous system of patients with senile dementia (Alzheimer's type). Effects of E1-S on central nerves were investigated using tissue cultures.