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At least 1,063 records · Page 59Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Regulation of matrilysin in the rat uterus.

Matrilysin was first discovered in the involuting rat uterus; it has also been known as uterine metalloproteinase, putative metalloproteinase (Pump-1), and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7). It is the smallest member (28 kDa) of a family of 15 MMPs that together are able to degrade most of the macromolecules of the extracellular matrix. This family is briefly reviewed; all members are zinc metalloproteinases that occur in zymogen form with the active site zinc blocked by cysteine. Matrilysin can degrade a wide range of gelatins, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins of the matrix and can activate several other MMPs including collagenase. With respect to the uterus, matrilysin is localized to epithelial cells and varies in amount with the estrus cycle and is found in high levels during postpartum involution. There is evidence for a role in the last stage of cervical ripening and immediately postpartum. Induction of premature delivery by onapristone and prostaglandin E2 advances these changes in matrilysin. Regulation of the enzyme levels in the uterus are considered from four viewpoints: control of protein synthesis (particularly in response to hormones), activation of the proenzyme to functional protease, retention of enzyme by binding to matrix components such as heparan sulfate, and inhibition by natural inhibitors such as tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and alpha 2-macroglobulin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Hypothyroidism does not affect the dihydropyridine sensitivity of precontracted murine uterus.

Thyroid hormones are known to influence various processes of cell differentiation. Recently, it was reported that hypothyroidism reduces the sensitivity to Ca2+-channel antagonists in the rat uterus. We examined the sensitivity to dihydropyridines of the uterus from mice that had reduced thyroid hormone levels. Isradipine relaxed with the same potency precontracted uterine muscle strips from control and hypothyroid mice, independently from a pseudo-pregnant state. These results demonstrate that hypothyroidism does not change dihydropyridine sensitivity (i.e., the pattern of Ca2+-channel expression) in the murine uterus.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Histaminergic H1 and H2 excitatory receptors in the guinea pig uterus and taenia coli.

Histamine, 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine (PEA), a specific H1 receptor agonist, and 4-methylhistamine (4-MH), a specific H2 receptor agonist, produced a dose-dependent contraction of estrogen-primed guinea pig uterus and taenia coli. Mepyramine (10(-7) M), a specific H1 receptor antagonist, competitively blocked the responses to histamine and PEA in both the preparations. Metiamide (10(-6) M), a specific H2 receptor antagonist, inhibited the responses to histamine and 4-MH in the guinea pig uterus and taenia coli. Our data suggest the presence of both H1 and H2 receptors in the guinea pig uterus and taenia coli. Both receptors appear to be excitatory in nature.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Enlarged uterus: differentiation between adenomyosis and leiomyoma with MR imaging.

The potential of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in differentiation of adenomyosis from leiomyoma was evaluated in 93 patients who had a palpable enlarged uterus that was suspect for leiomyoma or adenomyosis. In all cases, MR images were correlated with surgical/pathologic findings. Pathologic findings showed that 71 enlarged uteri were due to leiomyoma, including one leiomyosarcoma, and 16 were due to adenomyosis. The other six patients were shown to have an enlarged uterus attributable to simultaneous involvement of both lesions. On T2-weighted images, adenomyosis appeared as an ill-defined, relatively homogeneous low-signal-intensity area embedded with sparse high-intensity spots. In contrast, leiomyomas were well-circumscribed masses with a spectrum of signal intensity. The cause of uterine enlargement was correctly diagnosed with MR images in 92 of the 93 cases. It is concluded that MR imaging is highly accurate in helping to distinguish between adenomyosis and leiomyoma in cases of enlarged uterus.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Differential expression of Kv4 pore-forming and KChIP auxiliary subunits in rat uterus during pregnancy.

Regulation of voltage-gated K(+) (K(v)) channel expression may be involved in controlling contractility of uterine smooth muscle cells during pregnancy. Functional expression of these channels is not only controlled by the levels of pore-forming subunits, but requires their association with auxiliary subunits. Specifically, rapidly inactivating K(v) current is prominent in myometrial cells and may be carried by complexes consisting of Kv4 pore-forming and KChIP auxiliary subunits. To determine the molecular identity of the channel complexes and their changes during pregnancy, we examined the expression and localization of these subunits in rat uterus. RT-PCR analysis revealed that rat uterus expressed all three Kv4 pore-forming subunits and KChIP2 and -4 auxiliary subunits. The expression of mRNAs for these subunits was dynamically and region selectively regulated during pregnancy. In the corpus, Kv4.2 mRNA level increased before parturition, whereas the expression of Kv4.1 and Kv4.3 mRNAs decreased during pregnancy. A marked increase in KChIP2 mRNA level was also seen at late gestation. In the cervix, the expression of all three pore-forming and two auxiliary subunit mRNAs increased at late gestation. Immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblot analysis indicated that Kv4.2-KChIP2 complexes were significant in uterus at late pregnancy. Kv4.2- and KChIP2-immunoreactive proteins were present in both circular and longitudinal myometrial cells. Finally, Kv4.2 and KChIP2 mRNA levels were similarly elevated in pregnant and nonpregnant corpora of one side-conceived rats. These results suggest that diffusible factors coordinate the pregnancy-associated changes in molecular compositions of myometrial Kv4-KChIP channel complexes.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Changes in protein turnover in rat uterus during pregnancy.

The adaptive growth and protein turnover of the rat uterus were studied during the 21 days of gestation and up to 3 days after parturition. Despite large increases (13-fold) in uterine size during gestation, the fractional rate of protein synthesis (measured in vivo) remained unchanged when compared with nonpregnant tissue values of 44 +/- 5%/day. However, decreases were found in the rate of protein breakdown after implantation (i.e., 75% on day 7 and 28% on day 11) and in the activity of cathepsin D (i.e., 33 and 85% on days 8 and 16 of gestation). Changes in the degradative processes would therefore appear to be primarily responsible for the massive uterine growth during pregnancy. In contrast to the uterus the fractional rates of synthesis in the placenta and fetus progressively decreased during gestation. After parturition the uterus rapidly returned to its normal size by a combination of cellular atrophy and cell loss. After 2 days, a complementary decrease in the fractional rate of synthesis (30%) and an increase in protein degradation (2-fold) explained the process of involution.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Protein turnover in gravid and nongravid horns of uterus in pregnant rats.

Changes in uterine protein, RNA, and DNA contents in gravid and nongravid horns from the same animal were studied after 14 and 16 days of pregnancy. At 16 days, all of these parameters of growth had increased between three- and sevenfold in the gravid horn while remaining unchanged in the nongravid horn compared with the uterus of nonpregnant control animals. In the nongravid horn, the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy induced antagonistic decreases in both the average rates of protein synthesis and protein breakdown, with the net result being no change in its growth. In the gravid horn, however, the hormonal influences are coupled with the stretching effects produced by the enlarging fetuses. Here the net effect was a marked suppression of protein breakdown, resulting in a fourfold increase in its rate of growth. These data, together with those derived from analysis of both fetal and nonfetal sites from the gravid horn, led to the following conclusions. Changes in circulating hormones during pregnancy do not alone appear to influence the overall size of the uterus. In contrast, mechanical distension of the uterus promotes rapid and extensive growth.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1988

Afferent fibers supplying the uterus in the rat.

1. In the present three-part study electrophysiological techniques were used to characterize responses of afferent fibers in the rat hypogastric nerve to mechanical or chemical stimulation of the uterus, and anatomical techniques were used to identify the spinal segments through which uterine afferent fibers enter the spinal cord. 2. In an in vivo barbiturate-anesthetized preparation, hypogastric afferent fibers responded in a time-locked manner to mechanical stimulation confined to restricted regions of the uterus and adjacent ligament. Receptive fields were most often located on the uterine body, particularly over the cervix. The few located on the uterine horn were usually near regions irritated during preparative surgery. Effective mechanical stimuli (pressure, stretching, squeezing, probing, rarely contractions) were typically greater than 5 g and simultaneously accompanied by transient ischemia around the probe or contracted area. Distension, unless extreme, was not an effective stimulus. Retrospective analysis of the data indicated that fibers may be more sensitive to uterine stimulation when rats are in vaginal estrus/proestrus than in diestrus/metestrus. 3. In an in vitro preparation, hypogastric afferent fibers responded in a dose-dependent fashion to injections into the uterine artery of the algesic chemicals bradykinin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and KCl. They also responded to high doses of CO2 (in saline) and NaCN, but rarely to lower doses. Nearly all fibers responded to more than one chemical with response characteristics unique to each chemical (e.g., latency, duration, peak rate). 4. Injections of horseradish peroxidase into the uterine body and small portions of the adjacent horns in rats in vaginal estrus consistently labeled a small number of cells in the L1-S1 dorsal root ganglia, with peaks at L2 and L6. Virtually no cells were labeled in rats whose estrous cycle had been disrupted (by inadvertently keeping them in constant light conditions for several weeks). 5. These results indicate that uterine afferent fibers travel to the central nervous system through both the hypogastric (e.g., L1-L4 ganglia) and pelvic (e.g., L5-S1 ganglia) nerves in the rat, and that hypogastric fibers are capable of conveying fairly precise information about temporal and spatial aspects of uterine mechanical and chemical stimulation. The results also encourage future research into the possibility that the responses of these fibers vary as a function of estrous stage or other aspects of the condition of the uterus (e.g., its irritation).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2002

Influence of estrogen and/or progesterone on isolated ovariectomized rat uterus. Responsiveness to Ang II.

Steroids hormones can influence several functions of the uterus, including agonist-induced contractions. The aim of this work is to study the influence of hormonal replacement on angiotensin II (Ang II) and losartan responsiveness on the isolated rat uterus. The Ang II pD(2) values are: 9.69 +/- 0.07 for vehicle-treated animals, 8.85 +/- 0.06 for estrogen-treated animals, 10.12 +/- 0.03 for progesterone-treated animals and 8.90 +/- 0.03 for estrogen-and-progesterone-treated animals. The losartan pD(2)' values are: 8.43 +/- 0.03 for vehicle-treated animals, 8.21 +/- 0.03 for estrogen-treated animals, 7.83 +/- 0.05 for progesterone-treated animals and 8.70 +/- 0.09 for estrogen-and-progesterone-treated animals. There is not a correlation between Ang II pD(2) and losartan pD(2)' values, suggesting that the hormones affect Ang II and losartan binding by different mechanisms in rat uterus.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2004

Effects of aminoguanidine and cyclooxygenase inhibitors on nitric oxide and prostaglandin production, and nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase expression induced by lipopolysaccharide in the estrogenized rat uterus.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was first to investigate if there exists an interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) generation in the estrogenized rat uterus challenged by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and, secondly, which isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) participate in this process. METHODS: To study the effect of LPS and to characterize the isoenzymes involved in the process, specific inhibitors of iNOS (aminoguanidine) and COX-II (meloxicam, nimesulide) and non-specific of COX (indomethacin) were injected intraperitoneally to determine their effect on NO and PG production, and on NOS and COX expression induced by LPS in estrogenized rat uterus. NO production was measured by arginine-citrulline conversion assay and PGE(2)/PGF(2alpha,)by radioconversion. Enzyme expression was evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The present work shows that iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine, reduced NO and PGE(2)/PGF(2alpha) production induced by LPS injection. Aminoguanidine exerts its effect over the PG metabolism by inhibiting COX-II activity and expression. On the other hand, both indomethacin, a non-selective PG inhibitor, and meloxicam, a COX-II inhibitor, stimulated NO production and reduced PGE(2)/PGF(2alpha) generation. Indomethacin also reduced COX-II and iNOS expression. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that in the estrogenized rat uterus challenged with LPS, PG and NO interact affecting each other's metabolic pathways. The above findings indicate that the interaction between NOS and COX might be important in the regulation of physiopathologic events during pregnancy.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Inhibitory effect of 5-alpha-dihydroprogesterone on nuclear estrogen receptor binding of the anterior pituitary and uterus in the rat.

Progesterone and its metabolite 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone (5 alpha-DHP) have been shown to bring about gonadotropin release in the estrogen-primed ovariectomized rat. One of the actions of progesterone is the decrease in occupied estrogen receptors (E2Rs) in the anterior pituitary and uterus. This study attempted to determine if 5 alpha-DHP had a similar effect on pituitary and uterine E2Rs. Estrogen-primed ovariectomized mature female rats were injected with either vehicle, or 0.2, 0.8 or 2 mg/kg body weight (BW) of 5 alpha-DHP, 2 h before sacrifice and 1 h before the last estradiol injection (2 micrograms/rat). Nuclear E2Rs were determined by Scatchard analyses in the uterus and anterior pituitary. Total nuclear E2R levels of both tissues showed a 2-fold increase in the number of estradiol-binding sites after estradiol administration, as compared to control groups. In estradiol-primed rats, 5 alpha-DHP produced a significant decrease in total nuclear E2R levels in a tissue-specific manner. In the pituitary, there was a maximal and significant decrease in nuclear E2Rs with 0.2 and 2.0 mg/kg BW of 5 alpha-DHP as compared to estradiol alone; the intermediate dose of 0.8 mg/kg BW of 5 alpha-DHP induced a smaller nonsignificant change in nuclear E2Rs. In the uterus, 5 alpha-DHP showed a dose-dependent decrease in nuclear E2Rs. The 5 alpha-DHP effect in both tissues was due to a specific reduction in the occupied form of nuclear E2Rs levels. The unoccupied form of E2Rs was unaffected by 5 alpha-DHP administration. 5 alpha-DHP did not have any effect in the absence of estrogen priming.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone↗
PubMed1995

Estrogen receptor protein is differentially regulated in the preoptic area of the brain and in the uterus during the rat estrous cycle.

A previous in situ hybridization study in our laboratory has shown that the level of estrogen receptor mRNA in the preoptic area of the brain varied during the rat estrous cycle and differed between the sexes. While these observations suggest that the receptor protein levels may also change, a direct measurement of receptor protein is required to substantiate this regulation. The present study utilized a quantitative Western blot method to evaluate changes in the total content of estrogen receptor protein in the cycling female and intact male preoptic area and to compare changes in the brain with those which occur in the uterus. Tissue samples from brain and uterus were homogenized, separated by electrophoresis, and transferred to membranes. Estrogen receptor was then detected with two different antibodies, ER-715 and H-222, using a chemiluminescent Western blot assay to generate film autoradiographic images. A 66-kD band in tissue samples from brain and uterus was evaluated. Densitometric analysis of autoradiograms detected significant alterations in estrogen receptor content over the estrous cycle, with brain levels being highest during metestrus, attenuated on diestrus, and lowest during proestrus and estrus. A comparison of the male and female preoptic area revealed that the level of estrogen receptor in the cycling female was significantly higher than in the male. In contrast, the uterine estrogen receptor content was low during metestrus, diestrus, and estrus and elevated on proestrus. These results suggest that expression of the estrogen receptor in the preoptic area changes during the estrous cycle and is greater in the female than the male brain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Presence of a blastocyst and mast cell depletion of the mouse uterus.

The mast cell population has been studied during early decidualization of the mouse uterus. The number increases in early pregnancy until the attachment phase when a sharp depletion is noticed. This fall has been correlated with stimuli of maternal origin, but at the same time the presence of a blastocyst at the presumptive implantation sites seems to exert a significant effect on the depletion of mast cells. A relationship between the number of mast cells in the uterus and the physiological state of the organ has definitely been established [Harvey, 1964; Likar and Likar, 1964; Gibbons and Chang, 1972; Brandon and Evans, 1983]. The number of mast cells in the pregnant uterus is known to decrease around the time of implantation in the rat [Shelesnyak, 1960; De Feo, 1967; Brandon and Bibby, 1979]. Several workers believe that the mast cell population and histamine content decrease as a result of a rise in circulating estrogen [Westin, 1955; Gibbons and Chang, 1972; Spaziani, 1975]. In the present communication the possibility of a relationship between the decrease in mast cell population and the presence of a blastocyst, whose estrogenic role has been reported [Dickmann and Dey, 1973; Dickmann et al., 1975; Sengupta et al., 1977], in the uterine horn has been discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Specific activation of human mast cells by the ligand for c-kit: comparison between lung, uterus and heart mast cells.

Recent data suggest that stem cell factor (SCF or c-kit ligand, KL) is a major regulator of human mast cells (MCs). In the present study, MCs derived from the lung (n = 8), uterus (n = 14) and heart (n = 4) were analyzed for expression of c-kit receptor and for responses to recombinant SCF. MCs of all organs tested were recognized by mAbs to c-kit (YB5.B8, SR-1) as assessed by combined toluidine blue/immunofluorescence staining. Activation by rhSCF (10 ng/ml, 60 min) resulted in histamine release from lung MCs (SCF 12.8 +/- 2.7% histamine release; control 2.8 +/- 0.8%, p < 0.01), uterus MCs (SCF 16.8 +/- 5.8%; control 5.2 +/- 2.5%, p < 0.01) and heart MCs (SCF 18.4 +/- 2.6%; control 1.7 +/- 0.23%, p < 0.01). Short-term pre-incubation with rhSCF (15 min) did not result in histamine secretion (p > 0.05), but in an increase (lung 2.4 +/- 1.0 fold; uterus 2.1 +/- 1.1 fold, and heart 2.0 +/- 0.4 fold) of alpha IgE-induced mediator release (p < 0.05). The effects of SCF were dose-dependent (maximum responses at 10-100 ng/ml) and dependent on extracellular calcium. A monoclonal antibody to SCF was found to inhibit the effects of SCF on MCs. Furthermore, MCs could be desensitized specifically by pre-incubation of MCs with rhSCF in Ca-free medium. Together, these data suggest that SCF triggers mediator secretion from MCs in various organs via binding to the c-kit receptor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Reproductive organs in anencephaly with special reference to the uterus.

A survey has been made of the reproductive organs of anencephalic fetuses with special reference to the uterus and the vagina. The uteri and the vaginae of 15 anencephalic fetuses were examined and compared with 29 controls. The uterus showed normal development and reacted normally to hormonal stimulation by showing vascular, stromal and glandular proliferation and glandular diastase-resistant mucin secretion in varying degrees. All these processes were fully developed during the last month of pregnancy, offering the same picture as the controls. Cervix and vagina showed good maturation of squamous epithelium with already a fair amount of diastase-resistant mucin at 27 weeks of gestation, increasing steadily towards full term. A review of 32 postmortem records from various hospitals did not reveal any external developmental abnormalities of the uterus and its appendages in the anencephalic fetus with the exception of 2 cases. These findings are in marked contrast to the gross developmental abnormalities observed in the reproductive organs of male anencephalic fetuses.

Anencephaly↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Management of a triplet gestation complicated by uterus didelphys.

BACKGROUND: Assisted reproductive technologies are making it possible for women to conceive when it was otherwise impossible. One of the side effects is multiple gestations. This may be especially disadvantageous when it occurs within an anomalous uterus. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 36-year-old women with the help of gamete intrafallopean transfer conceived triplets in a uterus didelphys. This pregnancy was further complicated by anencephaly of one of the triplets. The patient was managed by a combination of chorionic villi sampling and selective reduction that ended with the successful delivery of a term infant. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy reduction can be safely performed in a twin pregnancy on one side of a uterus didelphys. More reports will be required to determine whether this is the most optimal choice.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Beneficial effect of hysteroscopic metroplasty on the reproductive outcome in a 'T-shaped' uterus.

Eight women (aged 27-43) with reproductive dysfunction who were diagnosed by hysterosalpingogram and hysteroscopy as having a 'T-shaped' uterus were operated on using fiberoptic hysteroscopic guidance; the uterine side walls were incised until a normal uterine cavity was achieved. The women's gynecologic and obstetric records were compared before and after the operation. In all the 8 women the operation was without complications and resulted in a satisfactory uterine cavity. Before the operative procedure, the women had had 10 spontaneous abortions and 1 ectopic pregnancy. The postoperative performance available for 7 of the 8 women showed 4 term pregnancies in 3 women, 1 ectopic pregnancy, and no abortions. Our study suggests that hysteroscopic metroplasty in women with a T-shaped uterus improves the reproductive outcome, mainly in women with repeated abortions. We conclude that women with a T-shaped uterus who want to improve their reproductive function should be encouraged to undergo hysteroscopic metroplasty.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1990

Anal submucosal injection: a new route for drug administration in pelvic malignancies. III. Misonidazole distribution in serum, uterus and vagina: an experimental study.

The anal and oral administration routes were compared in 40 rats to study the distribution of misonidazole (MIS), a radiation sensitizer, in the serum, uterus and vagina. 14C-labelled MIS was administered in a dose of 0.2 ml water/100 g body weight containing 1 microCi MIS. The dose was given orally in 20 rats and was injected in the anal submucosa in another 20 rats. Animals were then sacrificed after 15, 30, 60 or 120 min or after 24 h. Serum samples was taken at the time of sacrifice; organs were dissected and radioactivity was determined in each by the internal standard method. The study has shown that the highest drug concentration in uterus and vagina relative to serum was achieved by the anal submucosal route. They showed a drug concentration of 10 and 8 times, respectively, of the serum level after 15 min in contrast to oral administration, which in the same period of time produced a drug concentration of 1/5 and 1/4 the serum level. The anal route thus offers an adequate channel for MIS administration to promote radiation responsiveness in cancer of uterus and vagina.

Administration, Oral↗