c-peptide and 4-hydroxyestrone

Two groups of breast cancer patients (53±2 years) in clinical remission receiving no specific therapy were examined: group 1, with BRCA1 gene mutations (N=11) and group 2, without mutations of this kind (N=11). The two groups did not differ by insulinemia and glycemia, insulin resistance index, blood levels of thyrotropic hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, triglycerides, or lipoproteins. In group 1, blood estradiol level was higher. Intensive glucose-induced generation of reactive oxygen species in these patients was associated with a decrease of cholesterolemia, of the C-peptide/insulin proportion, and a trend to higher urinary excretion of 4-hydroxyestrone, one of the most genotoxic catecholestrogens. BRCA1 gene mutations in breast cancer patients were associated with signs of estrogenization and a pro-genotoxic shift in the estrogen and glucose system, which could modulate the disease course and requires correction.

Topics: Blood Glucose; BRCA1 Protein; Breast Neoplasms; C-Peptide; Endocrine System; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Hydroxyestrones; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Lipoproteins; Middle Aged; Mutation; Reactive Oxygen Species; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; Thyrotropin; Triglycerides