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Estradiol inhibits adhesion and promotes apoptosis in murine osteoclasts in vitro.

Osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency is characterized by enhanced bone resorption mediated by osteoclasts. Adhesion to bone matrix and survival of differentiated osteoclasts is necessary to resorb bone. The aim of our study was to investigate the in vitro effects of estradiol on murine osteoclasts. RAW 264.7 cells treated with 30 ng/ml RANK-L were used as a model for osteoclastogenesis. Estradiol (10(-8)M) for 5 days induced an inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and beta3 expression. Estradiol inhibited significantly the adhesion of mature osteoclasts by 30%. Furthermore estradiol-induced apoptosis shown by with nuclear condensation and Bax/Bcl2 ratio. In addition, estradiol enhanced caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities. This effect completely disappeared using specific caspase-8 inhibitor. However, increased caspase-3 activity by estradiol was observed in the presence of caspase-9 inhibitor, indicating the preferential involvement of caspase-8 pathway. Fas and FasL mRNA expression was not regulated by estradiol. However, estradiol enhanced caspase-3 activity in Fas-induced apoptosis on mature osteoclasts, suggesting that this might interact with the Fas-signaling pathway. These data suggest that estradiol decreases bone resorption by several mechanisms including adhesion and apoptosis of osteoclasts.

Animals↗

Estradiol prevents the injury-induced decrease of Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3beta phosphorylation.

Estradiol prevents neuronal cell death through the activation of cell survival signals and the inhibition of apoptotic signals. This study investigated whether estradiol modulates the anti-apoptotic signal through the phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream target, glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta). Adult female rats were ovariectomized and treated with estradiol prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Brains were collected 24 h after MCAO and infarct volumes were analyzed. Estradiol administration significantly reduced infarct volume and decreased the positive cells of TUNEL staining in the cerebral cortex. Potential activation was measured by phosphorylation of Akt at Ser(473) and GSK3beta at Ser(9) using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Estradiol prevented the injury-induced decrease of pAkt and pGSK3beta. Furthermore, pretreatment with estradiol decreased glutamate toxicity-induced cell death in a hippocampal cell line (HT22). Also, estradiol prevented the glutamate toxicity-induced decrease of pAkt and pGSK3beta in HT22 cells. Our findings suggest that estradiol plays a potent protective role against brain injury and that phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3beta by estradiol mediated these protective effects.

Animals↗

Estradiol decreases the orexigenic effect of melanin-concentrating hormone in ovariectomized rats.

Estradiol exerts an inhibitory effect on food intake via interactions with anorexigenic peptides, like cholecystokinin, that function to decrease meal size. It is currently unknown whether estradiol also interacts with orexigenic compounds implicated in the physiological control of food intake. Thus, the primary goal of this study was to determine whether estradiol decreases the orexigenic effect of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), a neuropeptide that, like estradiol, appears to influence food intake by selectively affecting the controls of meal size. Food and water intake were monitored following lateral ventricular (icv) infusions of 5 mug MCH or saline vehicle in oil- and estradiol-treated ovariectomized rats. MCH increased food intake throughout the first 4 h of the dark phase in oil-treated rats, but only for the last 2 h of the same 4-h interval in estradiol-treated rats. As a result, the orexigenic effect of MCH was significantly lower in estradiol-treated rats, relative to oil-treated rats. During this interval of MCH-stimulated feeding, a prandial increase in water intake was not observed in either oil- or estradiol-treated rats. We conclude that estradiol decreases the orexigenic effect of MCH in ovariectomized rats.

Animals↗

Acute and chronic estradiol treatments reduce memory deficits induced by transient global ischemia in female rats.

Transient global ischemia induces selective, delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 and delayed cognitive deficits. Estrogen treatment ameliorates hippocampal injury associated with global ischemia. Although much is known about the impact of estrogen on neuronal survival, relatively little is known about its impact on functional outcome assessed behaviorally. We investigated whether long-term estradiol (21-day pellets implanted 14 days prior to ischemia) or acute estradiol (50 microg infused into the lateral ventricles immediately after ischemia) attenuates ischemia-induced cell loss and improves visual and spatial working memory in ovariectomized female rats. Global ischemia significantly impaired visual and spatial memory, assessed by object recognition and object placement tests at 6-9 days. Global ischemia did not affect locomotion, exploration, or anxiety-related behaviors, assessed by an open-field test at 6 days. Long-term estradiol prevented the ischemia-induced deficit in visual working memory, maintaining normal performance in tests with retention intervals of up to 1 h. Long-term estradiol also prevented ischemia-induced deficits in spatial memory tests with short (1 and 7 min), but not longer (15 min), retention intervals. Acute estradiol significantly improved visual memory assessed with short retention intervals, but did not prevent deficits in spatial memory. Acute estradiol significantly increased the number of surviving CA1 neurons, assessed either at 7 days after ischemia or after the completion of behavioral testing 9 days after ischemia. In contrast, chronic estradiol did not reduce CA1 cell death 9 days after ischemia. Thus, long-term estradiol at near physiological levels and acute estradiol administered after ischemic insult improve functional recovery after global ischemia. These findings have important implications for intervention in the neurological sequellae associated with global ischemia.

Animals↗

Efficacy of continuous sequential transdermal estradiol and norethindrone acetate in relieving vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a combination estradiol plus norethindrone acetate transdermal delivery system given in a continuous sequential regimen with transdermal estradiol versus placebo in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms of menopause. STUDY DESIGN: This was a 12-week double-blind trial of 220 healthy postmenopausal women with > or = 8 moderate to severe hot flushes and sweating episodes per day. Women were randomly assigned to wear transdermal placebo patches or a transdermal patch releasing 50 microg/d 17beta-estradiol alone (Vivelle) for days 1 to 14 of each cycle and a combination patch releasing 50 microg/d 17beta-estradiol plus 1 of 3 dosage levels (140, 250, or 400 microg/d) of norethindrone acetate (CombiPatch) for days 15 through 28. RESULTS: There was a significant (P <.001) reduction by the second week in the mean number of daily hot flushes from baseline to end point with all 3 doses of estradiol plus norethindrone acetate compared with placebo. Significant (P <.001) reductions in the mean intensity of hot flushes and sweating were also noted with estradiol plus norethindrone acetate compared with placebo. The incidences of adverse events with all 3 doses of estradiol plus norethindrone acetate and with placebo were comparable. CONCLUSION: An estradiol plus norethindrone acetate transdermal delivery system administered in a continuous sequential regimen with transdermal estradiol was well tolerated and effective for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

A novel intermittent regimen of norgestimate to preserve the beneficial effects of 17beta-estradiol on lipid and lipoprotein profiles.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of 3 dosage levels of intermittent norgestimate plus a constant dose of 17beta-estradiol on blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in 236 postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: In this multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group trial the subjects were randomly assigned to receive 1 mg estradiol daily or 1 mg estradiol daily plus intermittent (3 days off and 3 days on) doses of 30 microg, 90 microg, or 180 microg norgestimate for 360 days. RESULTS: The regimens of 1 mg estradiol plus 30 microg norgestimate and 1 mg estradiol plus 90 microg norgestimate increased concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL(2) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL(3) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (except the regimen of 1 mg estradiol plus 30 microg norgestimate at 7 months), and apolipoprotein apo A-I. They decreased total cholesterol concentration, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio, apolipoprotein apo B concentration, and Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration, and they attenuated estradiol-induced increases in triglyceride concentrations. In contrast, the regimen of 1 mg estradiol plus 180 microg norgestimate reduced concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein HDL(3) cholesterol, and apolipoprotein apo A-I at 7 months and increased the low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio at 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: An intermittent regimen of norgestimate at 30 or 90 microg daily administered for 3 days off followed by 3 days on preserved the beneficial lipid and lipoprotein changes induced by continuous therapy with 1 mg 17beta-estradiol daily; however, 180 microg norgestimate did not do so.

Adult↗

The direct action of 17 beta-estradiol in isolated omental artery from nonpregnant and pregnant women is related to calcium antagonism.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study the mechanism by which 17 beta-estradiol modulates contractile activity in isolated rings of omental artery from nonpregnant and pregnant patients. STUDY DESIGN: Rings of omental artery with intact endothelium from nonpregnant and pregnant women were mounted in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. The concentration-relaxation relationship to 17 beta-estradiol (10(-7) mol/L to 3 x 10(-5) mol/L) was studied in rings contracted with 60 mmol/L potassium chloride (in both the absence and the presence of tamoxifen, 10(-6) mol/L). The effect of 17 beta-estradiol (10(-5) mol/L) on the contraction induced by 60 mmol/L potassium chloride and on the concentration-contraction relationships to both norepinephrine (10(-9) mol/L to 10(-5) mol/L) and calcium ion (0.05 mmol/L to 2.5 mmol/L in calcium-free depolarizing solution) were studied in the presence and absence of tamoxifen (10(-6) mol/L). The maximal contraction, negative logarithm of the concentration producing 50% relaxation or 50% contraction to the reference 60 mmol/L potassium chloride contraction, and the area under the curve were calculated. Data analysis was by one-way analysis of variance, Newman-Keuls test, and two-sample tests as appropriate. Probability values less than 0.05 in a two-tailed test were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 17 beta-Estradiol relaxed omental arteries contracted with 60 mmol/L potassium chloride, and this effect was potentiated by tamoxifen in both groups. Incubation of the omental arteries with 17 beta-estradiol inhibited contractions induced by 60 mmol/L potassium chloride in rings from both groups of patients, and tamoxifen did not antagonize this effect in either group. Rings of omental artery from the nonpregnant patients (expressed as percentage of the reference potassium chloride contraction) showed greater contraction than rings from the pregnant women when exposed to norepinephrine, a statistically significant difference. 17 beta-Estradiol decreased the norepinephrine-induced contraction in omental arteries from nonpregnant but not pregnant women in a statistically significant way. Tamoxifen did not influence the effect of norepinephrine for either group. 17 beta-Estradiol inhibited calcium ion-induced contraction similarly in rings of omental artery from both nonpregnant and pregnant patients. Tamoxifen potentiated estradiol-induced inhibition in arteries from pregnant patients. CONCLUSIONS: 17 beta-Estradiol inhibits norepinephrine-induced contractions in omental arteries from nonpregnant but no pregnant patients. The inhibition of the ter sion developed after exposure to potassium chloride, norepinephrine, and calcium ion is caused by a calcium channel blocking action.

Adult↗

17Beta-estradiol stimulates flow-induced vasodilatation in isolated small mesenteric arteries from prepubertal femal rats.

OBJECTIVE: Flow-induced vasodilatation may contribute to lowering of peripheral resistance to pregnancy. This study investigated modulation of flow responses by 17beta-estradiol. STUDY DESIGN: Small mesenteric arteries from prepubertal female Wistar rats were pretreated for 3 hours with 17beta-estradiol (10(-7) mol/L) with 17alpha-estradiol (10(-7) mol/L) or vehicle (0.1% dimethylsulfoxide). Responses to intraluminal flow were evaluated with use of a pressure arteriograph. RESULTS: After pretreatment with 17beta-estradiol arteries relaxed to flow, whereas those treated with vehicle or 17alpha-estradiol did not (percent change in diameter at maximum flow rate after 17beta-estradiol 38.7% +/- 5.7%, n = 10, vs 1.1% +/- 4.3%, n = 10 after vehicle; p < 0.01). Endothelium removal or pretreatment with either a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor or a novel soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor diminished the response to 17beta-estradiol. CONCLUSION: 17Beta-estradiol stimulated nitric oxide-mediated flow-induced relaxation. Through this pathway 17beta-estradiol could play an important role in the control of vascular tone.

Animals↗

Estradiol protects against injury-induced cell death in cortical explant cultures: a role for estrogen receptors.

Estradiol has been shown to exert trophic and protective actions in the brain. Our laboratory has shown that in vivo, low physiological levels of estradiol protect the female rat brain against ischemic injury. In the present study, we used organotypic cortical explant cultures to begin to decipher the mechanisms of estradiol's actions. Injury was induced by exposure to kainic acid or potassium cyanide/2-deoxyglucose (KCN/2-DG) for varying lengths of time, and cell death was monitored by LDH release at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after injury. We found that exposure to 1 mM KCN/2 mM 2-DG for 2 h produced consistent delayed cell death that was detectable by 24 h. The presence of 17beta-estradiol (E2) during the 7 days prior to injury significantly reduced the extent of cell death; whereas, administration of E2 at the time of injury did not protect. The protective effects of estradiol were dose dependent. Low doses of E2 (1, 10, and 30 nM) significantly reduced cell death; however, higher concentrations of E2 (>60 nM) had no protective effect. The observations that low levels of E2 protect against cell death, and that pretreatment is required suggest that the protective actions of estradiol may involve estrogen receptors. Therefore, we examined the ability of 17alpha-estradiol, which does not efficiently activate the estrogen receptor, and the addition of the estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780, to influence the extent of cell death induced by KCN/2-DG. 17alpha-Estradiol failed to protect, and ICI 182,780 prevented E2 from protecting against cell death. Furthermore, E2 pretreatment is required for more than 24 h to be neuroprotective. Our results clearly show that in cortical explant cultures, estradiol protects cells against ischemic injury, and suggest that these protective actions involve estrogen receptors.

Animals↗

Rates of exponential increase of serum estradiol concentrations in normal and human menopausal gonadotropin-induced cycles.

Serum unconjugated estradiol concentrations were measured daily in patients who ovulated spontaneously and in patients whose ovulations were induced with human menopausal gonadotropins. When the logarithm of the estradiol concentration was plotted against time (semi-log plot) for each patient, the plots were essentially linear, and the rates of estradiol production were similar during spontaneous and induced cycles. Based on two or three estradiol determinations, subsequent estradiol concentrations can be determined as long as the established rates of estradiol production falls within reasonable confidence limits. The slope of serum unconjugated estradiol concentrations of a patient known to have a multiple gestation due to multiple ovulations did not differ significantly from the slopes of estradiol concentrations with single pregnancies, suggesting that the follicular phase estradiol concentrations do not reflect number of dominant follicles.

Estradiol↗

Involvement of potassium channels in the protective effect of 17beta-estradiol on hypercholesterolemic rabbit carotid artery.

The involvement of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in the protective effect of 17beta-estradiol was investigated on the phenylephrine-precontracted carotid artery from cholesterol fed rabbits. Animals were fed for 8 weeks as follows: control group, standard chow; (control+estradiol) group, standard chow+17beta-estradiol; standard chow+1% cholesterol, cholesterol group; or (cholesterol+estradiol) group, 1% cholesterol chow+17beta-estradiol. Relaxations to acetylcholine (ACh) (3 nM-30 microM) were performed with N(omega) nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (300 microM) and indomethacin (10 microM). Charybdotoxin (50 nM)+apamin (50 nM), glibenclamide (10 microM) or 4-aminopyridine (1 mM) were used to block, respectively, calcium-activated-K(+), adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive-K(+) and voltage-dependent K(+) channels. In the control group, ACh induced a residual concentration-dependent relaxation. This response was impaired by hypercholesterolemia and restored by 17beta-estradiol. In control and cholesterol groups, 4-aminopyridine or glibenclamide did not affect this relaxation, but in (control+estradiol) and (cholesterol+estradiol) groups, glibenclamide suppressed it. In all groups, this persisting relaxation was completely abolished by charybdotoxin alone or with apamin, by hemoglobin (10 microM), a nitric oxide scavenger, or by LY83183 (10 microM), a guanylate cyclase inhibitor. Thus, in the rabbit carotid artery, the protective effect of 17beta-estradiol against hypercholesterolemia is probably mediated by a nitric oxide/cyclic GMP pathway which activates calcium-targeted and ATP-dependent K(+) channels.

Acetylcholine↗

Cyclic estradiol treatment normalizes body weight and test meal size in ovariectomized rats.

We tested whether cyclic estradiol treatment, like continuous estradiol treatment, is sufficient to normalize meal size and body weight in ovariectomized rats. In Experiment 1, adult Long-Evans rats were ovariectomized and subcutaneously injected with 0, 0.2, or 2.0 microg estradiol benzoate (EB) in sesame oil each Tuesday and Wednesday. Oil-treated ovariectomized rats gained more weight during 4 weeks of ad lib feeding (48 +/- 5 g) than intact rats (16 +/- 1 g, p < 0.01). Cyclic treatment with 2.0 microg EB normalized weight gain (11 +/- 2 g). During the next week, plasma samples were assayed for estradiol. Cyclic treatment with 2.0 microg EB produced excursions of plasma estradiol that appeared similar to those of intact, cycling rats: estradiol level reached 190 +/- 60 pmol/L after the second EB injection before decreasing to undetectable levels (<30 pmol/L) by cycle end. In Experiment 2, test meal sizes after overnight food deprivation were measured. Cyclic treatment with 2.0 microg EB produced both tonic (i.e., at cycle onset, meal size was smaller in estradiol-treated than oil-treated rats) and phasic (i.e., meal size was smaller late in the EB-treatment cycle than early in it) decreases in meal size. Thus, a weekly cyclic regimen of estradiol treatment that produces changes in plasma estradiol concentration similar to those in intact cycling rats is sufficient to produce the body weight and meal size patterns that characterize normal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function.

Animals↗

A double antibody radioimmunoassay for free and conjugated estradiol-17 beta in cow's milk.

A radioimmunoassay for free estradiol-17 beta, conjugated estradiol-17 beta or total (free + conjugated) estradiol-17 beta in defatted milk of cows is described. Conjugated estradiol-17 beta was hydrolyzed by enzymes of Helix pomatia juice. Estrogens were extracted with dichloromethane; no other purification step was required before radioimmunoassay because of the high specificity of the antiserum. Immunoprecipitation was used to separate bound and free estradiol-17 beta. Concentrations measured were corrected for procedural losses on a per sample basis. The assays were shown to be accurate and specific. The sensitivity was 1.3pg/ml for the assay of free estradiol-17 beta (5ml of milk extracted) and 2.9pg/ml for conjugated or total estradiol-17 beta (2 ml of milk hydrolyzed and extracted). Estrogens were measured in the milk of cyclic cows and in cows stimulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). A preovulatory increase was clearly observed. Wether or not the ovary was stimulated by PMSG, concentrations of estrogens were higher and the relative increase during the preovulatory peak was greater for conjugated estradiol-17 beta than for the free form. The assay of conjugated or total estradiol-17 beta in defatted milk should be a practical method for assessing preovulatory growth of follicles in cows.

Animals↗

Effect of PGF2alpha, indomethacin, tamoxifen, or estradiol-17beta on incidence of abortion, progesterone, and pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) secretion in 88- to 90-day pregnant sheep.

One objective of this experiment was to evaluate our hypotheses that estradiol-17beta regulates secretion of pregnancy specific protein B (PSPB) and that secretion of progesterone during pregnancy is regulated by a prostanoid by examining the effects of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), a luteolyic agent; indomethacin, a prostanoid synthesis inhibitor; tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor antagonist; estradiol 17-beta; and interaction of these factors on the incidence of abortion and progesterone and PSPB secretion. Another objective was to determine if there is a luteal source of PSPB. Weights of corpora lutea were decreased (P < or = 0.05) by PGF2alpha, indomethacin, PGF2alpha + tamoxifen, PGF2alpha + indomethacin, and PGF2alpha + estradiol-17beta but not (P > or = 0.05) by tamoxifen or estradiol-17beta alone. No ewe treated with PGF2alpha alone aborted (P > or = 0.05). Forty percent of ewes treated with PGF2alpha + estradiol-17beta aborted (P < or = 0.05), but ewes were not aborted by any other treatment within the 72-h sampling period. Profiles of progesterone in jugular venous blood differed (P < or = 0.05) among control, indomethacin-, tamoxifen-, and PGF2alpha + indomethacin-treated ewes. Progesterone in jugular venous blood of control ewes decreased (P < or = 0.05) by 24 h, followed by a quadratic increase (P < or = 0.05) from 24 to 62 h. Progesterone in jugular venous blood of indomethacin-, PGF2alpha-, PGF2alpha- + tamoxifen-, PGF2alpha + indomethacin-, PGF2alpha + estradiol-17beta-, and tamoxifen-treated ewes was reduced (P < or = 0.05) by 18 h and did not vary (P > or = 0.05) for the remainder of the 72-h sampling period. Progesterone in vena cava and in uterine venous blood was reduced (P < or = 0.05) at 72 h in PGF2alpha-, indomethacin-, tamoxifen-, PGF2alpha + indomethacin-, PGF2alpha + tamoxifen-, and PGF2alpha + estradiol-17beta-treated ewes. Weights of placentomes did not differ among treatment groups (P > or = 0.05). Profiles of PSPB in inferior vena cava blood differed (P < or = 0.05) among control, estradiol-17beta-, indomethacin-, tamoxifen-, PGF2alpha + indomethacin-, and PGF2alpha + tamoxifen-treated 88- to 90-day pregnant ewes. Concentrations of PSPB in inferior vena cava blood were increased (P < or = 0.05) in indomethacin-, estradiol-17beta-, tamoxifen-, PGF2alpha + tamoxifen-, and PGF2alpha + indomethacin-treated 88- to 90-day pregnant ewes within 6 h and did not vary (P > or = 0.05) for the remainder of the 72-h sampling period. Concentrations of PSPB in uterine venous blood of indomethacin-, tamoxifen-, PGF2alpha + tamoxifen-, and PGF2alpha + indomethacin-treated ewes were greater (P < or = 0.05) at 72 h than at 0 h. PSPB in ovarian venous blood did not differ (P > or = 0.05) adjacent or opposite to the ovary with the corpus luteum. It is concluded from these data that estrogen regulates placental secretion of PSPB and that a prostanoid, presumably prostaglandin E, regulates placental secretion of progesterone during 88-90 days of gestation in sheep and that there is no luteal source of PSPB.

Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal↗

In vivo effect of 17 beta-estradiol on intestinal calcium absorption in rats.

Previously we reported that intestinal cells contain estrogen receptors, and that 17 beta-estradiol enhanced calcium uptake by these cells in vitro. The current study was undertaken to examine the in vivo effects of 17 beta-estradiol on intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Three groups of rats were studied. Group 1 received solvent vehicle. Groups 2 and 3 received 5 micrograms and 40 micrograms 17 beta-estradiol/kg body weight/day, respectively, for 21 days. Hormone and solvent vehicle injections were given subcutaneously. Rats were fed a Teklad diet containing 0.4% Ca, 0.3% P and 3.0 U vitamin D/g during the study. Intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus was assessed over a 5-day period from day 15-19. Carmine red (25 mg/100 g diet) was added to the rat feed to mark the beginning and end of fecal collections. Administration of 17 beta-estradiol caused an increase in intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. The increase was significant only for calcium, and in the animals that received high-dose 17 beta-estradiol (P < 0.05). Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly greater in 17 beta-estradiol treated than in control animals. The urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus was also increased in a dose-dependent manner by 17 beta-estradiol, and was significant for both calcium and phosphorus in animals that received high-dose 17 beta-estradiol (P < 0.05). In contrast, 17 beta-estradiol treatment did not significantly alter the serum levels of parathyroid hormone and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D. These findings indicate that estrogen administration promotes intestinal absorption of calcium in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Differential p53 protein expression level in human cancer-derived cell lines after estradiol treatment.

BACKGROUND: p53 has a remarkable number of biological activities, including a central role in cell cycle checkpoints, apoptosis, senescence, and maintenance of genomic integrity. Its expression is modified by estradiol in some epithelial cancer-derived cell lines from the reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low and high doses of estradiol in p53 gene expression in epithelial cancer-derived cell lines from the reproductive tract. METHODS: p53 gene expression was assessed by Northern and Western blot methods in three human epithelial cancer-derived cell lines after estradiol treatment. RESULTS: These indicated that no changes in p53 mRNA content occurred after estradiol treatment at both low (10 nM) and high (1 micro M) doses of estradiol in HeLa, CaLo, and C-33 cell lines. p53 protein content was nearly constant in HeLa and C-33 cell lines at administration of 10 nM of estradiol. However, when estradiol was administered at a higher dose (1 micro M), an increase in p53 protein was observed over time in HeLa and CaLo cell lines. In contrast, estradiol was without variations in C-33. CONCLUSIONS: Overall results indicate that estradiol induces variations of p53 protein levels in epithelial cancer-derived cell lines from the reproductive tract in vitro and that this effect may be related with status p53 and/or presence of E6/E7 from human papillomavirus.

Blotting, Northern↗

[Estradiol enhances endothelium-dependent vasodilation via a nitric oxide pathway].

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The mechanisms by which estradiol dilates arterial vessels are still unclear. Our aim was to study if estradiol enhances endothelium-dependent vasodilation in an experimental model of human arteries in vitro, and if this effect is nitric oxide mediated. METHODS: Using organ bath chambers, we studied 18 arterial rings obtained from left internal mammary arteries during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Response to acetylcholine was evaluated at baseline and after the addition of estradiol 10-6 mol/l to the medium, both in the presence or absence of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NNA 10-4 mol/l). RESULTS: Estradiol significantly enhanced the relaxation of the arterial rings in response to acetylcholine (52 +/- 20% after estradiol versus 42 +/- 22% at baseline; n = 10; p = 0.02). However, endothelium-dependent vasodilation relaxation after estradiol addition was not enhanced in the presence of L-NNA (47 +/- 25% after estradiol versus 38 +/- 22% at baseline; n = 8; p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Estradiol in vitro enhances endothelium-dependent vasodilation of internal human mammary artery rings; this effect is blunted after the addition to the medium of a nitric oxide inhibitor. Therefore, the vasodilator properties of estradiol at the studied dosage depend on the nitric oxide pathway.

Aged↗

The control of progesterone receptor expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells: effects of estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

Estradiol controls the gene transcription and expression of many proteins in breast cancer cells, like the progesterone receptor, PR, that is up-regulated by the hormone. Moreover, estradiol is one of the crucial factors inducing the proliferation of breast cancer cells. Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), the plasma carrier for both estradiol and androgens, inhibits the estradiol-induced growth of MCF-7 cells (estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells), through its membrane receptor (SHBG-R), cAMP and PKA. The anti-estrogenic effect of SHBG, which has been described only as far as cell proliferation is concerned, could also play a meaningful role in the estradiol control of other factors in breast cancer cells. In the present study, the effect of SHBG on the estradiol control of PR expression (both mRNA and protein) and function (receptor binding capacity) in MCF-7 cells was examined. SHBG inhibited the estradiol-induced up-regulation of PR mRNA as well as protein level and function. Moreover, the effect of SHBG on estradiol control of PR expression and function was showed to be specific and mediated by PKA. The intermediacy of PKA in the PR expression control, together with the observation that it is effective in the condition in which the SHBG receptor is activated, supports the hypothesis that the anti-estrogenic effect of SHBG could be receptor-mediated. The ability of SHBG to inhibit estradiol action in a specific way in estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells has, therefore, to be taken into account for the development of future therapeutic strategies.

Blotting, Western↗