Steroid hormones and pancreas: a new paradigm

• Published in: Revista de investigacion clinica Vol. 59; no. 2; pp. 124 - 129
• Main Authors: Morales-Miranda, Angélica, Robles-Díaz, Guillermo, Díaz-Sánchez, Vicente
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Mexico 01.03.2007
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - drug therapy; Adenocarcinoma - epidemiology; Adenocarcinoma - physiopathology; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - therapeutic use; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones - physiology; Hormones - physiology; Humans; Insulin - metabolism; Insulin Secretion; Male; Mammals - physiology; Models, Biological; Pancreas - enzymology; Pancreas - physiology; Pancreatic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Pancreatic Neoplasms - epidemiology; Pancreatic Neoplasms - physiopathology; Rats; Steroids - physiology
• ISSN: 0034-8376

The relation between steroid hormones and pancreatic function has been poorly discussed and not very well understood. In general, there is a lack of recognition among the scientific community about the importance of steroids in pancreatic function (current paradigm). In the present article we present basic, as well as clinic and epidemiologic data that demonstrate steroid synthesis and steroid biotransformation by pancreatic tissue, how exocrine and endocrine functions are modulated by steroids, the gender specific frequency and behavior of some tumors and the use of synthetic steroids and steroid action antagonists as therapeutic agents. With the available information it is possible to establish that: 1. Pancreatic tissue synthesize and transform steroid hormones. 2. Pancreatic tissue respond to steroid hormones and express steroid specific receptor molecules. 3. Some endocrine functions such as insulin synthesis and release are modulated by steroids. 4. Tumor growth is modulated by steroids and anti-steroid drugs. This set of data creates a new paradigm for the holistic study of pancreas and opens new research fields. The application of this new paradigm might result in an increase in the knowledge of pancreatic physiology, in the design of new and better diagnostic methods and eventually in the design of more effective medical treatments for the pancreatic cancers.