Validation of two in vitro test systems for estrogenic activities with zearalenone, phytoestrogens and cereal extracts.

In order to establish alternatives to the frequently used uterotropic assay with mice, defined estrogen-sensitive cell lines (MCF-7 cells and LeC-9 cells) were used to determine the estrogenic activities of purified compounds of vegetable origin (myco- and phytoestrogens) and zearalenone-contaminated forage cereals (wheat, barley and oats). In MCF-7 cells, a human breast cancer cell line, the induction of an estrogen-specific exoprotein served as a parameter of estrogenic activities. LeC-9 cells represent a genetically transformed cell clone derived from mouse L-cells. Here, hormone-like activities were measured by the expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene under the control of an estrogen-responsive element. Toxic effects affecting cell viability were monitored in this system by the expression of a second reporter gene (the bacterial beta-galactosidase gene controlled by the constitutive human beta-actin promoter). Relative estrogenic activities of myco- and phytoestrogens determined with both systems are concomitant, but higher as compared to the uterotropic assay with mice.