Transformation of estradiol to 2-hydroxyestradiol is a major metabolic pathway of estradiol in the liver.[1]CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 are the major enzymes catalyzing the 2-hydroxylation of estradiol.[1] Conversion of estradiol into 2-hydroxyestradiol has also been detected in the uterus, breast, kidney, brain, and pituitary gland, as well as the placenta, and may similarly be mediated by cytochrome P450 enzymes.[1] Although estradiol is extensively converted into 2-hydroxyestradiol, circulating levels of 2-hydroxyestradiol and levels of 2-hydroxyestradiol in various tissues are very low.[1] This may be due to rapid conjugation (O-methylation, glucuronidation, sulfonation) of 2-hydroxyestradiol followed by urinaryexcretion.[1]
Notes: Values are mean ± SD or range. ER RBA = Relative binding affinity to estrogen receptors of rat uterinecytosol. Uterine weight = Percentage change in uterine wet weight of ovariectomized rats after 72 hours with continuous administration of 1 μg/hour via subcutaneously implantedosmotic pumps. LH levels = Luteinizing hormone levels relative to baseline of ovariectomized rats after 24 to 72 hours of continuous administration via subcutaneous implant. Footnotes:a = Synthetic (i.e., not endogenous). b = Atypical uterotrophic effect which plateaus within 48 hours (estradiol's uterotrophy continues linearly up to 72 hours). Sources: See template.
Catecholaminergic activity
2-Hydroxyestradiol is a catechol estrogen and in this regard bears some structural resemblance to the catecholaminesdopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline).[6] In accordance, 2-hydroxyestradiol has been found to interact with catecholamine systems.[6] The steroid is known to compete with catecholamines for binding to catechol O-methyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase and to directly and competitively inhibit these enzymes.[6][7] In addition, 2-hydroxyestradiol has been found to displace spiperone from the D2 receptor with approximately 50% of the affinity of dopamine, whereas estradiol, estrone, and estriol and their other 2-hydroxylated and 2-methoxylated derivatives showed only weak or negligible inhibition.[6] Moreover, 2-hydroxyestradiol has been found to bind to the α1-adrenergic receptor with slightly more than half the affinity of norepinephrine.[8] However, although these affinities are comparable to those of dopamine and norepinephrine, they are nonetheless in the double-digit micromolar range.[6][8]
2-Hydroxyestradiol has been found to increase prolactin secretion when administered intravenously to women.[9] It was noted that this could be due to 2-hydroxyestradiol binding to and antagonizing the D2 receptor.[9] However, the researchers argued against this possibility because it was delayed (by several hours) and of relatively small magnitude, whereas established D2 receptor antagonists promptly induce marked increases in prolactin levels.[9] The researchers also argued against the possibility that it was due to inhibition of dopamine biosynthesis by 2-hydroxyestradiol because 2-hydroxyestrone, which inhibits tyrosine hydroxylase similarly to 2-hydroxyestradiol, showed no such increase in prolactin secretion.[9] The researchers concluded that the most likely explanation was that the increase was mediated by the estrogenic activity of 2-hydroxyestradiol, as similar increments in prolactin levels had been observed with estradiol.[9] In any case, these findings argue against the notion of major interactions of 2-hydroxyestradiol with the dopamine system.[9]
Genotoxicity
2-Hydroxyestradiol, as well as 2-hydroxyestrone and 4-hydroxyestradiol, can undergo metabolic redox cycling to generate free radicals like superoxide and reactive estrogen semiquinone/quinoneintermediates.[1] These metabolites may damage DNA and other cellular components.[1] However, 2-hydroxyestradiol shows little or no tumorigenic activity in the male Syrian hamster kidney and there is evidence that 2-hydroxyestradiol may actually decrease tumorigenesis in estrogen-sensitive tissues.[1] It has been suggested that the lack of tumorigenesis of 2-hydroxyestrone is due to its rapid clearance.[1] In addition, its metabolite 2-methoxyestradiol is a very potent inhibitor of tumor growth and angiogenesis, and this may contribute as well.[1]
Similarly to other steroidal estrogens, 2-hydroxyestradiol is an antioxidant, but the catechol estrogens (2- and 4-hydroxylated estrogens) like 2-hydroxyestradiol are considered to be the most potent in terms of antioxidant activity.[12][dubious – discuss]
History
2-Hydroxyestradiol was identified as a metabolite of estradiol in 1960.[13]
^Barnea ER, MacLusky NJ, Naftolin F (May 1983). "Kinetics of catechol estrogen-estrogen receptor dissociation: a possible factor underlying differences in catechol estrogen biological activity". Steroids. 41 (5): 643–56. doi:10.1016/0039-128x(83)90030-2. PMID6658896. S2CID27048999.
^Schütze N, Vollmer G, Tiemann I, Geiger M, Knuppen R (December 1993). "Catecholestrogens are MCF-7 cell estrogen receptor agonists". J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 46 (6): 781–9. doi:10.1016/0960-0760(93)90319-r. PMID8274412. S2CID42692912.
^Clopton JK, Gordon JH (1985). "The possible role of 2-hydroxyestradiol in the development of estrogen-induced striatal dopamine receptor hypersensitivity". Brain Res. 333 (1): 1–10. doi:10.1016/0006-8993(85)90117-9. PMID2986765. S2CID25129158.
^ abcdefAdashi EY, Casper RF, Fishman J, Yen SS (1980). "Stimulatory effect of 2-hydroxyestradiol on prolactin release in hypogonadal women". J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 51 (2): 413–5. doi:10.1210/jcem-51-2-413. PMID6772666.