Accumulation of 4- and 5-ene steroid sulfates in human breast cyst fluids

Gross cystic disease of the breast is one of the most common diseases of adult females. Breast cyst fluid contains various steroid hormones. In order to obtain more information about the concentrations of 4- and 5-ene steroids in human breast cyst fluids, levels of pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS), pregnenolone (PREG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A total of 35 human breast cyst fluid samples, obtained from 35 patients (28-54 years old) were analyzed. Cyst fluid electrolytes were simultaneously determined. Levels of PREGS (mean+/-S.D.) were 26.9+/-20.0 micromol/l (N=35) and of PREG were <0.1 micromol/l. Levels of DHEAS and DHEA were 89.1+/-111.7 micromol/l (N=35) and 0.3+/-0.2 micromol/l (N=35), respectively. Cyst fluids were divided into two groups (types I and II) according to their electrolyte ratio (K(+)/Na(+)). The cysts of the type I group (K(+)/Na(+) >1.5) contained significantly higher levels of PREGS (39.9+/-21.1 micromol/l) and DHEAS (133.2+/-87.9 micromol/l) than those of the type II group (K(+)/Na(+) <1.5), the mean levels of which were 19.8+/-16.2 micromol/dl for PREGS, and 36.3+/-29.0 micromol/dl for DHEAS (P<0.05). PREGS and DHEAS levels in the cysts were significantly correlated (r=0.49; P<0.01). Human breast cyst fluids contain high concentration of DHEAS and PREGS, especially in the cyst fluids containing high K(+)/Na(+) ratios.