# CATECHOL ESTROGENS, DIET AND BREAST CANCER

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 1987 · $127,256

## Abstract

Our objective is to establish whether endocrine factors, specifically
estradiol and its mode of metabolism and plasma prolactin, are related to
the initiation and/or promotion of a mammary tumorigenesis in female rats
on varying types and amounts of dietary fat.

Catechol estrogens are significant metabolites of estrogens in humans and
animals.  They are considered by some investigators to be regulatory
factors in the central nervous system for gonadotropin and prolactin
secretion and also as "impeding" estrogens.  In addition, in situations of
equivalent estradiol secretions, a metabolic preference for the pathway
leading to the synthesis of catechol estrogens or estriol may cause a hypo-
or hyperestrogenic state, respectively.  Similarly, the prolactin estrogen
ratio has been implicated in the breast tumor process.

To this end, plasma estrone, 2-hydroxyestrone, estradiol, prolactin and the
fecal and urinary excretions of catechol estrogens (2-hydroxyestrone,
2-hydroxyestradiol) and estriol will be measured in female Sprague-Dawley
rats on semisynthetic diet containing 5, 10 and 20% polyunsaturated
(safflower oil) or saturated (coconut oil) fat starting at the age of 22
days (immature) or 50 days.  Further, in similar groups of rats, the tumor
will be induced by 7, 12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA).  Sites, times of
appearance and size of tumors will be correlated with prolactin and the
amounts of nature of estradiol and its metabolites.  The mode of metabolism
will further be investigated by radiometric analysis and by isolation,
identification and measurements of radioactive metabolites in the urine and
feces.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3178276
- **Project number:** 5R01CA039381-02
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FBYMGMHW4X95
- **Principal Investigator:** SATI C CHATTORAJ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $127,256
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-08-01 → 1989-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3178276

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3178276, CATECHOL ESTROGENS, DIET AND BREAST CANCER (5R01CA039381-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3178276. Licensed CC0.

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