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Effect of Ethanol Feeding upon Levels of a Male‐Specific Hepatic Estrogen‐Binding Protein: A Possible Mechanism for Feminization

1981; Wiley; Volume: 5; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1530-0277.1981.tb04885.x

1530-0277

Patricia K. Eagon, Lynne E. Porter, Judith S. Gavaler, Kimberly M. Egler, David H. Van Thiel,

Estrogen and related hormone effects

Male, but not female, rat liver cytosol contains an estrogen‐binding protein with unique properties: rapid binding of estradiol, high binding capacity, moderate affinity for estradiol, and specificity for steroidal estrogens and weak androgens, but not for nonsteroidal estrogens or other steroids. The estradiol‐binding activity of this protein is reduced in cytosol from livers of alcohol‐fed rats as compared to that from their isoca‐lorically fed controls. The properties of this male‐specific hepatic estrogen‐binding protein suggest a role for this protein in the regulation of estrogen levels in the male animal. Moreover, the reduction in activity of this unique protein in the liver of alcohol‐fed animals may explain, at least in part, the feminization commonly seen in chronic alcoholic men.