Effects of estrogens and androgens on erythrocyte antioxidant superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities during the menstrual cycle

Abstract

The effects of physiological changes in estrogens and androgens on the erythrocyte antioxidant superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities during the menstrual cycle were investigated in healthy eumenorrheic women. Blood samples were taken on alternate days from twelve normally cyclic women (age range: 20 to 27 years; mean age: 24·1 years) from the first day of one menstrual cycle until the first day of the subsequent one. Plasma was analyzed for FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, free testosterone and androstenedione concentrations. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were evaluated on the same days and cycle length was standardized on the basis of the preovulatory estradiol peak. Significant cyclic phase-related changes were observed in glutathione peroxidase (P<0·05), with higher glutathione peroxidase activity levels from the late follicular to the early luteal phase compared with those found in the early follicular phase (P<0·001 and P<0·002 respectively). A significant positive correlation was observed between mean estradiol and glutathione peroxidase cycle-related variations (r=0·80, P<0·001), whereas no significant cycle phase-dependent changes were seen in superoxide dismutase and catalase. No effect of progesterone and androgens on the erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme system was documented. The findings indicate that physiological ovarian estradiol production during the menstrual cycle may have an important role in regulating erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity.

EVALUATION OF THAI STYLE STRETCHING EXERCISE ON €œRUESI DUD TON” ON PHYSICAL HEALTH AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEER

“…Moreover, it was found that estrogen could enhance mitochondrial function resulting in the decreased reactive oxygen species production (Stirone et al, 2005). In addition, the enhanced GSH-Px and SOD were also observed (Massafra et al, 2000;Shahrokhi et al, 2012). Since estrogen can decrease the oxidative stress formation, therefore the reduction of MDA at 2-month intervention period might also be attributed to the decreased oxidative stress formation induced by estrogen.…”

Correlation Pattern of Serum Lipid Parameters and a Biological Anti-Oxidant Potential Between Premenopausal and Perimenopausal Healthy Women

“…A decrease of antioxidative conditions can also stem from an alteration of sex hormones during menopausal transition, and blood antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzyme expression at a gene level were documented to positively correlate with E2 levels [16][17][18]. On the other hand, the association between (anti)oxidative stress-related markers and sex hormones has been still controversially reported; that is, urinary isoprostane excretion was not correlated with endogenous estrogen levels in perimenopausal women [19] or total antioxidant ability was not correlated with E2 levels during menopausal transition [20].…”

Effects of Intramuscular or Bioadhesive Buccal Testosterone Treatment on Antioxidant Systems in Secondary Hypogonadism

“…No significant effects of androgens were reported on antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes [18]; conflicting results have also been reported about regulation of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in immune system [19]; however antioxidant properties of testosterone in human neutrophils have been recently demonstrated, as indicated by suppression of superoxide anion and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels, increase of NO levels, glutathione reductase activity and thiol groups; so testosterone administration at physiological concentrations had a greater antioxidant potential than higher concentrations [20].…”