Pharmacology-And-Toxicology-07-04
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SEX HORMONES (ESTROGENS, PROGESTINS ANTIESTROGENS, ANTIPROGESTINS) Female sex hormones: The ovaries of sexually-mature females secrete a mixture of estrogens of which 17β-estradiol is the most abundant (and most potent) and progesterone. ESTROGENS: Estrogen is a steroidal hormone Most estrogen in the female is produced in the ovaries by the theca interna and the granulosa cells of the follicles. Estrogens include the natural hormones as well as semi-synthetic and synthetic agents. Estrogens are used as hormone-replacement therapy (menopause), in oncology and as contraceptives. They antagonize the effects of the parathyroid hormone, minimizing the loss of calcium from bones and thus helping to keep bones strong. NATURAL ESTROGENS: Estradiol : It is rapidly oxidized in liver to estrone which is hydroxylated to form estriol. All three are found in blood but estradiol is the most potent estrogen. – (transdermal: Climara, Alora, Vivelle, Vivelle-Dot, Estraderm, FemPatch). Estrone: Kestrone 5 (injectable only) Estrogen receptors: ERα and ERβ types are tissue-specific. ERα (uterus, breast, hypothalamus and blood vessels). ERβ (prostate gland in male, ovaries in females ) Actions of estrogens: Development and maintenance of internal (fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina), and external genitalia. Skin: increase in vascularization, development of soft, textured and smooth skin. Bone: increase osteoblastic activity Electrolytes: retention of Na+, Cl- and water by the kidney Cholesterol: hypocholesterolemic effect ANTIESTROGEN AND SERMS: Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs). Are mixed agonists/antagonists. Tamoxifen – an ER antagonist in breast, but a partial agonist in endometrium and bone. Raloxifene – ER agonist in bone, but an antagonist in both breast and endometrium. Clomifene – used to induce ovulation. Is an ER antagonist in hypothalamus but a partial agonist in ovaries. PROGESTERONE: Progesterone is also a steroid. A natural hormone secreted by the corpus luteum and the placenta. Intestinal absorption is quite erratic; must be micronized for most effective absoption. Important in menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Used for hormonal contraception and for producing longterm ovarian suppression for other purposes (e.g., dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, hirsutism and bleeding disorders) when estrogens are contra-indicated. PROGESTINS Drugs which mimic the action of progesterone. Complement the action of estrogen on primary and secondary sex characteristics. Many are used as oral contraceptives: Norgestrel Levonorgestrel Norethindrone Norethindrone acetate Norethynodrel Ethynodiol diacetate Desogestrel and norgestimate Natural progestin: Progesterone, a 21 carbon steroid is the natural progestin and derived from cholesterol. It is secreted in the later half of menstrual cycle under the influence of LH. Synthetic progestin: A number of synthetic progestin with high oral activity have been produced. These are either progesterone derivatives or 19- nortestosterone derivatives. Progesterone derivatives: - medroxyprogesterone acetate, megestrol acetate, dydrogesterone, nomegestrol acetate. 19-nortestosterone derivatives:- norethindron, lynestrenol, allylestrenol, desogestrel, gestodene, nordestimate. Action of progestin: Uterus: Progesterone brings about secratory changes in the estrogen primed endometrium and increased glandular secretion while epithelial proliferation is suppressed. It also decreases sensitivity of myometrium to oxytocin. Cervix: Progesterone converts the watery cervical secretion induced by estrogen to viscid, scanty and cellular secretion which is hostile to sperm penetration. Proliferation of acini in mammary glands. CNS: high circulating concentration of progesterone (during pregnancy) appears to have a sedative effect. Slight increase in body temp. Weak inhibitor of Gn secretion from pituitary. How estrogens and progesterone achieve their effects: Steroids like estrogens and progesterone are small, hydrophobic molecules that are transported in the blood bound to a serum globulin. In target cells, i.e., cells that change their gene expression in response to the hormone, they bind to receptor proteins located in the cytoplasm or nucleus. The hormone-receptor complex enters the nucleus (if it formed in the cytoplasm). Binds to specific sequences of DNA, called the estrogen (or progesterone) response elements. Response elements are located in the promoters of genes. The hormone-receptor complex acts as a transcription factor which turns on (sometimes off) transcription of those genes. Gene expression in the cell produces the response. Regulation of Estrogen and Progesterone: • The synthesis and secretion of estrogens is stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is, in turn, controlled by the hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). • Hypothalamus → GnRH → Pituitary → FSH/LH → Follicle/ Corpus luteum → Estrogens/ progesterone. ANTIPROGESTIN: Mifepristone: • It is 19-norsteroid with potent competitive antiprogesterone. • Given during the follicular phase slowing of follicular development / failure of ovulation. • During luteal phase prevent progesterone secretion. • Orally active. Uses: • Termination of pregnancy: up to 7 weeks 600 mg single oral dose. • Postcortical contraception: within 72 hr of intercourse. • Indication of labour: by blocking relaxant action of progesterone on uterus of late pregnancy. • Cushiong’s syndrome: due to glucocorticoid receptor blocking property. ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) are prescription medications that prevent pregnancy. Birth control (contraceptive) medications contain hormones (estrogen and progesterone or progesterone alone). Birth control pills may also be prescribed to reduce menstrual cramps or prevent anemia. Some women experience various levels of side effects of birth control pills. Mechanism of oral contraceptives: Hormonal birth control medications prevent pregnancy through the following ways: By blocking ovulation (release of an egg from the ovaries), thus preventing pregnancy. By altering mucus in the cervix, which makes it hard for sperm to travel further. By changing the endometrium (lining of the uterus) so that it cannot support a fertilized egg. By altering the fallopian tubes so that they cannot effectively move eggs toward the uterus Available Dosage Forms: Birth control (contraceptive) medications contain hormones (estrogen and progesterone or progesterone alone). The medications are available in various forms, such as pills, injections (into a muscle, topical (skin) patches, and slow-release systems (vaginal rings, skin implants, and contraceptive-infused intrauterine devices. Oral Contraceptives: Estrogens: Ethinyl estradiol-30 micro grams Mestranol-50 micro grams Progesterones: Norethindrone- 1mg Norethindrone acetate Norgestimate Desogestrel 150 micro grams Norgestrel -0.5mg Levonorgestrel 150 micro grams Hormone Containing Contraceptives: Combination contraceptives, that is, contraceptive medications containing both estrogen and progesterone, are the most effective means for contraception with the exception of surgical sterilization. Several types of combination birth control pills exist, including monophasic pills, biphasic pills, triphasic pills, and 91-day-cycle pills. 1. Monophasic Pills: Monophasic pills have a constant dose of both estrogen and progestin in each of the hormonally active pills throughout the entire cycle (21 days of ingesting active pills). 2. Biphasic Pills: Biphasic pills typically contain 2 different progesterone doses. The progesterone dose is increased about halfway through the cycle. Ethinyl estradiol 35 micro gram+ Norethindrone 0.5mg (day1 to day 10) Ethinyl estradiol 35 micro gram+ Norethindrone 1mg (day12 to day 21) 3. Triphasic Pills: Triphasic pills gradually increase the dose of progesterone and provides higher dose of estrogen. Three different increasing pill doses are contained in each cycle. Ethinyl estradiol 35 micro gram+ Norgestrol 0.05mg (day1 to day 6) Ethinyl estradiol 35 micro gram+ Norgestrol 0.075 mg (day 7 to day 11) Ethinyl estradiol 35 micro gram+ Norgestrol 0.125 mg (day 12 to day 21) 4. Post Coital morning after pills: Two tablets of progestin levonorgestrol containing 1500mg Or single 1500mcg tablet taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse (up to 72 hours after) Preferably within 12 hours, no later than 72 hours. Ethinyl estradiol 50 micro gram+ levonorgestrol 250 micro gram. Two such tablets are to be taken within 72 hrs of unprotected sex. Ulipristal (SPRM-Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulator) single dose 30mg effective with in 120hrs/5days. 5. Centchroman-Saheli: Non steroidal estrogen receptor antagonist-serm. Centchroman- 30mg twice in a week for first 3month and once in a week subsequently as long as the contraception is preferred. Reversible in 6 months. It is potent competitive antagonist at peripheral estrogen receptors and supresses proliferative stage of endometrium. It accelerates ovum transport, without affecting ovulation. No risk of teratogenesis. Contraindications: hepatic dysfunction polycystic ovarian disease cervical hyperplasia tuberculosis renal disease. 6. Injectable Contraceptives: Depot medroxy progesterone acetate (Depot-Provera) -DMPA : The first injection is given within 5 days following the onset of menstruation. After that, an injection is needed every 11-13 weeks. Side effects: Since progesterone is the only