Hormones: electron emission, communication, mutual interaction, regeneration, metabolites, carcinogenesis and receptor action

Abstract

This review discusses the highlights of the recently made discovery about the ability of hormones to eject 'solvated electrons' (eaq-) in water containing media. The resulting consequences for communication with other biological systems by the electron-transfer process, formation of metabolites, the possible initiation of cancer, hormone regeneration and the action of hormone-receptor systems are briefly discussed. The molecular structure of the hormones and the environment are hereby found to be the most important determining factors for the yield of ejected eaq-. Furthermore, the hormone transients, which result from emission of eaq-, are reviewed, as well as the formation of metabolites, which can be involved in various biological processes. The hormone-transients can also be regenerated by electron-transfer from a potent electron donor, at least partly, as long as they are in a 'status nascendi state'. The discussion of all these effects is supported by corresponding experimental data and experiments in vitro. This review presents a complete new conception of the action mechanisms of hormones.

Fundamental biological importance of solvated electrons in humans

“…Experimentally determined quantum yields, -aq Q( e ), are presented in Table 1. The emission ofaq e from a number of other hormones was previously reported [14,15]. Data demonstrate the versatility ofaq e emission and its significance to biological systems.…”

“…Photoinduced generation ofaq e from various substances of biological interest was experimentally demonstrated [9], including flavines [10], antioxidant and B-series vitamins [11,12], hormones [13][14][15], aromatic carboxylic anions [16], indole and derivatives [17], DNA components [8], etc. Meanwhile, the emission ofaq e from DNA components using high-power laser irradiation in connection with the corresponding reaction mechanisms is also mentioned [18 and references therein].…”

“…For a better understanding of the subject matter, the same experimental data of hormones and related compounds are briefly discussed. As mentioned earlier, the yield of emittedaq e depends on many factors, especially on the reactivity ofaq e to a given substrate [15]. As indicated, hormone molecules with certain substituents [7][8][9] emit a higheraq e yield, in contrast to molecules with incorporated groups such as = O, = CO, etc., which act asaq e scavengers.…”

“…As indicated, hormone molecules with certain substituents [7][8][9] emit a higheraq e yield, in contrast to molecules with incorporated groups such as = O, = CO, etc., which act asaq e scavengers. Further, it was experimentally shown that with increasing hormone concentration, > 10 -7 mol/L, there is a corresponding decrease in theaq e yield [14,15]. This effect is mainly because hormones form associates (unstable complexes) that consume a part of the emittedaq e through the following processes: (i) reaction ofaq e with the hormone molecule in the ground state (see Table 2); (ii) reaction of -aq e with the corresponding "mother" hormone radical (back-reaction).…”

“…The communication between hormones and other biological compounds in humans is based on the ability of these molecules to emit and consumeaq e as well as transfer them to other biological systems [13][14][15]. Hence, they act as electron mediators.…”