Must Read!! Good paper on PCOS!!

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/466573_2

Androgens, including testosterone, are excreted in urine after being sulfated and glucoronidated

Phase 2 conjugation of androgens, as evidenced by conjugate presence in urine

Bottom line: Conversion of androgens to estrogens via aromatase (CYP19) is not the only means of reducing androgens. Androgens are sulfated and glucoronidated also.

Source: http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journal/free-glucuronic-and-sulfate-testosterone-epitestosterone-and-riemCAf0GZ?key=springer_journal

Dopamine effects aromatase - not sure yet which way

 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165017301001229

Together, these results provide converging evidence for a direct control of aromatase activity by catecholamines consistent with the anatomical data indicating the presence of a catecholaminergic innervation of aromatase cells. These dopamine-induced changes in aromatase activity are observed after several hours or days and presumably result from changes in aromatase transcription but rapid non-genomic controls have also been identified. The potential significance of these processes for the physiology of reproduction is critically evaluated.

Quercetin and genistein induce aromatase activity - one study

Quercetin and genistein induce aromatase activity - one study


Whereas other Flavanoids inhibited aromatase activity and some others first induced and then, at higher concentrations, inhibited aromatase.


Source: http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/content/82/1/70.abstract

The natural flavone quercetin and isoflavone genistein induced aromatase activity 4- and 2.5-fold induction, respectively, at 10 μM. This coincided with increased intracellular cAMP concentrations and increased levels of the cAMP-dependent pII and to a lesser extent 1.3 promoter-specific aromatase transcripts.

Read: Silymarin's effect on LH, Estradiol, Testosterone, etc. - Confusing though

http://egyptianjournal.net78.net/13_10.pdf

Apparenty Silymarin is an aromatase inhibitor, but has "a definite estrogenic effect", and prevents preganancy in female rats.

From the link above:
"In male rats ,a significant increase of
serum testosterone and LH levels while
estradiol did not change by silymarin
treatment at one month.  Oliveira  et al.,
(2001) "


"While rats treated with silymarin for
two months displayed significant decrease
in serum testosterone levels, while LH and
estradiol not changed. This result is
attributed to enzyme regulation for
testosterone synthesis which may be
affected by phytoestrogen rich diet and
decreased  testosterone levels Weber et al.,
(2001)."

Low levels of Vitamin D and Calcium cause low levels of Aromatase and High LH and FSH (Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

Low levels of Vitamin D and Calcium cause low levels of Aromatase and High LH and FSH.

Supplementing with calcium brought aromatase levels back to normal, but LH and FSH remained high.

"Supplementation of estradiol normalized histological abnormality in the male gonads as well as in the female" whatever that means



Source: http://endo.endojournals.org/content/141/4/1317.full.pdf

Another Licorice study, this one on men, showed increased LH. Both this study and the one on women showed lower testosterone.

Another Licorice study, this one on men, showed increased LH

source: https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/eced/doi/10.1055/s-2003-42724

Apparently, Licorice (no info on DGL) reduces LH and increases Estradiol in women

Apparently, Licorice (no info on DGL) reduces LH and increases Estradiol in women

Source: Steroids

Volume 71, Issue 5, May 2006, Pages 403-408

Effect of licorice on PTH levels in healthy women

Mee Jung Mattarello, Stefano Benedini, Cristina Fiore, Valentina Camozzi, Paola Sartorato, Giovanni Luisetto, Decio Armanini

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences-Endocrinology, University of Padua, Via Ospedale 105, 35100 Padua, Italy

Received 26 May 2005; revised 19 December 2005; Accepted 4 January 2006. Available online 2 March 2006.

Vitex increases LH and reduces Prolactin. It mildly reduces FSH.

Vitex increases Luteinizing Hormone and reduces Prolactin. It mildly reduces Follicle Stimulating Hormone.

source: http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/vitex.html
clipped to evernote also

Shortly after epileptic seizures, prolactin levels often rise, whereas they are normal in non-epileptic seizures.

Shortly after epileptic seizures, prolactin levels often rise, whereas they are normal in non-epileptic seizures.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperprolactinaemia

Aromatase activity is decreased by prolactin and zinc.

Aromatase activity is decreased by prolactin and zinc.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromatase#Activity

The enzyme Aromatase, a member of the Cytochrome P450 family, converts testosterone to estrogen in women. This seems to be the primary path of estradiol production - confirm this lat sentence

The enzyme Aromatase, a member of the Cytochrome P450 family, converts testosterone to estrogen in women.

This seems to be the primary path of estradiol production - confirm this lat sentence

testosterone + Aromatase == Estradiol

Androstendione + Aromatase == Esterone

Thus, if Aromatase increases, the body should, as I see it, end up with more Estrogens and fewer Androgens.

Source:
http://www.ergogenics.org/anabolenboek/index11en.html
http://97.74.186.254/static/testosterone-dht-5-alpha-reductase-metabolism-flowchart.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromatase
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androstenedione

Pollution causes increased levels of LH, and this seems to cause mental health disorders.

Pollution causes increased levels of LH, and this seems to cause mental health disorders.


From the article 'Exposure to Urban Stressor and Effects on Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in Female Outdoor Workers' 

In follicular and lutheal phase of ovarian cycle, the LH mean levels were significantly higher in traffic police vs. controls. The distribution of LH values in traffic police and controls was significant in follicular, and lutheal phase. In ovulatory phase, LH mean levels were lower but not significant in traffic police compared to controls. An increase was found concerning mental health disorders referred to the questionnaire items in traffic police vs. controls, although the difference was not significant. Our results suggest that occupational exposure to urban stressor in female traffic police, may alter LH plasma concentrations. LH may be used in occupational set as an early biomarker of exposure to urban stressor.

What does Diane 35 do? - Text Dump

Diane 35 is commonly prescribed for PCOS. It contains two ingredients

1. cyproterone 
2. ethinyl estradiol

Cyproterone  

Suppresses the actions of testosterone (and its metabolite dihydrotestosterone or DHT) on tissues. It acts by blocking androgen receptors which prevents androgens from binding to them and suppresses luteinizing hormone (which in turn reduces testosterone levels).

In addition, cyproterone acetate has weak progestational activity (i.e., it acts like progesterone) and can be used to treat hot flashes. As part of some combined oral contraceptive pills (Dianette in UK and Diane-35 in other countries) it decreases acne and hirsutism (male-pattern hair growth).


Pharmacology

Cyproterone acetate is a synthetic derivative of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and acts as anandrogen receptor antagonist with weak progestational and glucocorticoid activity. Some portion is metabolized by hydrolysis to cyproterone and acetic acid.^[1] However, unlike many other steroid esters, cyproterone acetate is not extensively hydrolyzed, and much of its pharmacological activity is attributed to its acetate form.^[2] Cyproterone acetate has approximately three times the anti-androgenic activity of cyproterone.^[3]

Cyproterone acetate inhibits the steroidogenic enzyme 21-hydroxylase and to a lesser extent 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, both of which are needed to synthesize cortisol.^[4] The blockade of 21-hydroxylase can also result in reduced production of aldosterone, the primarymineralcorticoid hormone. Mutations in the gene encoding 21-hydroxylase are fairly common in the human population, therefore some patients may be affected more than others. Although cyproterone has some glucocorticoid activity,^[5] this is offset by the fact that cyproterone acetate inhibits cortisol production and can act as a competitive inhibitor of cortisol at the glucocorticoid receptor,^[6] thus its adrenosuppressive effects are usually fairly minor.^[7] However, since the glucocorticoid effects appear to be due to metabolites, rather than cyproterone acetate itself, the net effect may vary depending on the rate at which cyproterone acetate is metabolized.^[8] The progestational and glucocorticoid effects reduce production of gonadotropins, which usually results in lower testosterone levels, however the blockade of adrenal 21-hydroxylase results in the accumulation of androgen precursors which may be converted to testosterone, reducing the efficacy of the antiandrogen treatment. Due to the possibility of increased adrenal androgens, cyproterone acetate is sometimes combined with the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride, and studies of hirsutism treatment show increased efficacy of this combination over cyproterone acetate alone.^[9] Some in vitro studies have suggested that cyproterone or cyproterone acetate may have a slight inhibitory effect on 5-alpha-reductase, however no significant reduction in DHT production has been observed in vivo.^[10]

Cyproterone acetate is metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme, forming the active metabolite 15β-hydroxycyproterone acetate, which retains its antiandrogen activity, but has reduced progestational activity.^[11][12][13] Therefore, use of cyproterone acetate in combination with substances which inhibit CYP3A4 may increase the progestational effects. Cyproterone acetate increases production of CYP3A4 by activating thepregnane x receptor.^[14]

^{Side Effects}

The most serious potential side effect is liver toxicity, and patients should be monitored for changes in liver enzymes, especially if taking a high dose (200–300 mg/day).^[2] Toxicity is dose-dependent and the low doses used in birth control pills (2 mg) do not appear to represent a significant risk.^[15]

Suppression of adrenal function and reduced response to ACTH have been reported. Low cortisol levels may impair carbohydrate metabolism, and patients with diabetes mellitus may require adjustments in insulin dosage. Low aldosterone levels may lead to salt loss andhyperkalemia (excess potassium). Patients taking cyproterone should have their cortisol levels and electrolytes monitored, and if hyperkalemia develops, reduce the consumption of food having a high potassium content.

Used alone, cyproterone acetate does not appear to have a significant effect on blood clotting factors, but in combination with ethinylestradiol(as in combined oral contraceptive pills) presents an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.^[16] Women who take contraceptive pills containing cyproterone acetate have a six- to sevenfold risk of developing thromboembolism compared to women who do not take any contraceptive pill, and twice the risk of women who take a contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel.^[17]

Cyproterone acetate is also associated with striae (stretch mark) formation, due to its glucocorticoid activity and drying of the skin.^[18]

Cyproterone has been associated with depressive mood changes in some patients, presumably due to androgen deprivation. However, others have reported significant antidepressant effects.^[19] This may be due to its effect on adrenal hormones, as similar antidepressant effects have been observed with other adrenal suppressants, such as metyrapone.^[20]

Cyproterone acetate suppresses production of estrogen due to its antigonadotrophic effect, and long-term use without estrogen replacement may result in osteoporosis.

Side-effects in men which directly result from its antiandrogenic action include gynecomastia (breast growth), galactorrhea (milk outflow), anderectile dysfunction.

Source:wikipedia