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Estradiol inhibition of arterial neointimal hyperplasia after balloon injury.

PURPOSE: Estrogens have been shown to protect against cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. The mechanisms are unknown. In this study we investigated the effect of estrogen treatment on arterial neointimal proliferation elicited by balloon injury of blood vessels of the rabbit. METHODS: The aorta and the common and external iliac arteries of the rabbit underwent balloon injury. 17-beta-Estradiol cypionate (100 micrograms/kg/day intramuscularly) was administered beginning 1 day before injury and until sacrifice at 22 to 24 days after injury. Angiopeptin (20 micrograms/kg/day) was administered for the same length of time as estrogen to a group of rabbits to use this peptide as a positive control for morphometric analysis. Angiopeptin was also combined with estradiol to determine whether it was possible to further enhance the effect of estrogen. Morphometric studies were performed to determine measurement of intimal thickening. Inhibition of cell proliferation by estrogen was evaluated by incorporation of tritiated thymidine in vitro into the balloon injured rabbit aorta 72 hours after balloon injury. RESULTS: Treatment of male rabbits with estradiol significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the neointimal thickening of these vessels by 50% to 70%. The somatostatin analog, angiopeptin, was similarly effective in the same circumstances. Estradiol failed to further inhibit neointimal thickening when combined with angiopeptin. Treatment with estradiol for 3 days inhibited both thymidine incorporation (p < 0.01) and DNA content in injured vessels. CONCLUSION: Estradiol treatment of rabbits undergoing balloon injury of the aorta and iliac arteries, significantly inhibits the myointimal thickening. This effect of estrogen is mediated by inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Estradiol stimulates expression of two human prolactin receptor isoforms with alternative exons-1 in T47D breast cancer cells.

Human prolactin receptor (hPRLR) expression is regulated by estradiol-17beta (E(2)) in vivo in animal tissues, and in vitro in normal human endometrial cells and in MCF7 human breast cancer cells. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of E(2) on the expression of two recently described hPRLR isoforms with distinct exons-1, hE1(3) and hE1(N1) that are transcribed from the generic hPIII promoter, also present in the rat and mouse, and the human-specific promoter hP(N1), respectively. Also, to determine the effect of estradiol on the hPIII promoter activity in cancer cells. T47D breast cancer cells were examined using quantitative competitive RT-PCR for the level of expression of two alternative non-coding exon-1 transcripts, hE1(3) and hE1(N1) following incubation with E(2) in presence or absence of the E(2) receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. The effects of estradiol were also evaluated in cells transiently transfected with constructs of hPIII promoter luciferase reporter gene. E(2) significantly increased the expression of both hPRLR mRNA transcripts, hE1(3) and hE1(N1). In transfection studies E(2) activated the hPIII promoter. This effect of estradiol was markedly inhibited by coincubation with the E(2) receptor antagonist. Our results demonstrate a stimulatory effect of estradiol on the expression of hPRLR mRNA species with alternative exons-1, hE1(3) and hE1(N1) possibly through activation of their corresponding promoters. The lack of a formal ERE in these promoters suggested that the effect of estradiol is mediated through association of the activated ER with relevant DNA binding transfactor(s). These findings support the role of E(2) in the regulation of hPRLR expression in human breast cancer cell lines.

Alternative Splicing↗

Estradiol regulates estrogen receptor mRNA stability.

Previous studies suggest that post-transcriptional events play an important role in estrogen-induced loss of estrogen receptor expression. The present study shows that treatment of MCF-7 cells with estradiol resulted in a six-fold decrease in estrogen receptor mRNA half-life from 4 h in control cells to 40 min in estradiol treated cells. To determine the role of protein synthesis in the regulation of estrogen receptor mRNA stability, several translational inhibitors were utilized. Pactamycin and puromycin, which prevent ribosome association with mRNA, inhibited the effect of estradiol on receptor mRNA stability, whereas cycloheximide, which has no effect on ribosome association with mRNA, had no effect on estradiol regulation of estrogen receptor mRNA stability. In control cells, the total cellular content of estrogen receptor mRNA was associated with high molecular weight polyribosomes. Treatment with estradiol resulted in a 70% decrease in estrogen receptor mRNA associated with polyribosomes but had no effect on the polyribosome distribution of estrogen receptor mRNA. In an in vitro degradation assay, polyribosomes isolated from estradiol-treated cells degraded ER mRNA faster than polyribosomes isolated from control cells. The nuclease activity associated with the polysome fraction appeared to be Mg2+ independent and inhibited by RNasin. Freeze-thawing and heating at 90 degrees C for 10 min resulted in the loss of nuclease activity. These studies suggest that an estrogen-regulated nuclease activity associated with ribosomes alters the stability of estrogen receptor mRNA.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase after estradiol treatment of MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells.

MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cultures grown in the presence of 17-beta estradiol form solid, multicellular nodules, a process that reflects changes in cell-substrate adhesions and loss of growth inhibition. We examined the effects of estradiol on the status of tyrosine phosphorylation in focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the association of FAK with paxillin using immunoprecipitations and then probing western blots for FAK, phosphotyrosine, and paxillin. Culture of MCF-7 cells for seven days in the presence of 1 nM E2 resulted in decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK compared to controls. The estradiol-induced effect was blocked by 100 nM of the estrogen receptor antagonist 4-hydroxytamoxifen, indicating dephosphorylation of FAK is an estrogen receptor-mediated event. FAK immunoprecipitated from either estradiol or DMSO-treated cells phosphorylated the exogenous substrate poly(Glu,Tyr), suggesting that the potential kinase activity of FAK was not changed by estradiol. Estradiol treatment also resulted in a reduced association between FAK and paxillin. The decreased phosphorylation levels and reduced association between FAK and paxillin may be important steps leading to the loss of stable focal contacts and loss of growth inhibition during MCF-7 nodulation.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Metabolic studies on eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) hepatocytes in primary culture: effect of 17 beta-estradiol and growth hormone.

Previous studies demonstrated that native and recombinant growth hormone from mammalian and fish species potentiate the estrogenic induction of vitellogenin synthesis by cultured eel hepatocytes. In the present study, the metabolic competence (respiratory activity and estradiol catabolism) of cultured hepatocytes and their functional capacity to synthesize a specific protein, vitellogenin, in the presence of estradiol and/or bovine growth hormone was investigated. In addition, we examined the possible role of insulin-like growth factors as mediators of growth hormone. Hepatocytes retain a high level of metabolic activity under the primary culture conditions applied. Estradiol has a half life of several hours in the hepatocyte culture, and is metabolized into conjugated forms. Estradiol and/or growth hormone had no effects on respiratory activity of the cultured hepatocytes. Moreover, the estradiol catabolic parameters were not affected by growth hormone. Finally, human and trout recombinant insulin-like growth factors do not potentiate vitellogenin synthesis induced by estradiol.

Anguilla↗

Diabetic nephropathy is associated with decreased circulating estradiol levels and imbalance in the expression of renal estrogen receptors.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cardiovascular and renal disease is lower in premenopausal women than in aged-matched men. However, in the setting of diabetes mellitus (DM), this "female advantage" no longer exists: the incidence and progression of DM and its associated end-organ complications are equal in men and women, regardless of age. We have recently reported that estrogen supplementation attenuates the progression of diabetic nephropathy, suggesting that lack of estrogen may nullify female sex as a protective factor against DM. OBJECTIVE: This study examined circulating levels of estradiol in DM and expression of estrogen receptor subtypes (ERa and ERP) in the nondiabetic (ND) and diabetic (D) kidney. METHODS: : The study was performed in ND and streptozotocin-induced D Sprague-Dawley rats after 2 weeks (male and female) and 12 weeks (female) of DM. The animals (N = 8/group) were kept either intact, ovariectomized (OVX), or OVX with 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) supplementation (OVX + E(2), 5 mug/kg/d). Plasma estradiol levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and expression of renal ERalpha and ERbeta was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: DM was associated with reduced circulating estradiol levels (ND: mean [SEM] 37.1 [7.2]; D: 24.5 [9.3] pg/mL; P < 0.05). The diabetic kidney exhibited increased expression of ERalpha protein (ND: 0.82 [0.06]; D: 1.15 [0.09] arbitrary units; P < 0.05), but no differences in ERP were observed. This resulted in an overall increase in the ratio of ERalpha/ERbeta protein expression in the diabetic kidney. No differences in the expression of ERa were observed in either females or males with similar glycemic levels after 2 weeks of DM. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced circulating levels of estradiol and imbalance in the expression of estrogen receptor subtypes in the diabetic kidney may explain why female sex is no longer a protective factor in the setting of DM. Thus, estradiol supplementation may be an effective regimen in attenuating the onset and progression of diabetic renal complications.

Animals↗

Catalytic characteristics of CYP3A4: requirement for a phenolic function in ortho hydroxylation of estradiol and mono-O-demethylated methoxychlor.

CYP3A4 is the major human cytochrome P-450 in a superfamily of heme-thiolate proteins that catalyze the oxidation of numerous lipophilic compounds. In this investigation, we report that CYP3A4 requires a phenolic function for ortho hydroxylation of estradiol and mono-O-demethylated methoxychlor and that CYP3A4 aromatic hydroxylation in general may be dependent on the presence of a free phenolic group. Indeed, when methoxyls were present instead of phenolic hydroxyls, CYP3A4 essentially failed to catalyze ortho hydroxylation. By contrast, of eight additional cDNA-expressed P-450s (CYP1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2D6, and 2E1) examined, only CYP1A2 and CYP2B6 could catalyze ortho hydroxylation of [o-3H]methoxychlor (7.2 and 14.6 pmol/90 min/pmol P-450, respectively), indicating that these isoforms do not require a phenolic hydroxyl for aromatic hydroxylation and that methoxyls do not sterically hinder catalysis by these CYPs. However, with [o-3H]mono-O-demethylated methoxychlor, containing a phenolic group, five isoforms (CYP1A2, 2B6, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4) supported ortho hydroxylation. Of these, CYP3A4 exhibited by far the highest rate of hydroxylation at 87.8 pmol/90 min/pmol P-450. Further studies with [2-(3)H]estradiol 3-methyl ether and with [2-(3)H]estradiol revealed a similar and dramatic augmentation of CYP3A4-mediated C2 hydroxylase activity of approximately 75-fold by the presence of the phenolic group in the 3-position. The mechanism of augmentation by the phenolic hydroxyl does not appear to involve the acidic proton of estradiol, since CYP3A4-catalyzed estradiol 2-hydroxylation and testosterone 6-beta-hydroxylation were diminished to an equal extent when incubations were performed at increasing buffer pH values from 7 to 9. Both estradiol and its 3-methoxy derivative bound with similar affinity to cDNA-expressed, microsomal CYP3A4: spectral dissociation constants were 270 and 370 microM, respectively, and both compounds exhibited type I spectra. Thus, the disparities in aromatic hydroxylation rates between compounds containing phenolic hydroxyls and those with methoxyls cannot be explained by differences in their binding affinities. To explain the mode via which the phenolic hydroxyl facilitates ortho hydroxylation, a mechanism in which the phenolic moiety attacks the iron-oxo double bond of CYP3A4, resulting in oxygen transfer to the ortho position, is proposed. It is anticipated that these findings will assist in forecasting the CYP-mediated metabolic fate of phenolic compounds.

Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A↗

Cysteine 530 of the human estrogen receptor alpha is the main covalent attachment site of 11beta-(aziridinylalkoxyphenyl)estradiols.

The efficiency of 11beta-[p(aziridinylethoxy)phenyl]estradiol 1 and 11beta-[p(aziridinylpentoxy)phenyl]estradiol 2 affinity labeling of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) was evaluated on the basis of their capacity to inhibit [(3)H]estradiol binding to lamb and human ERalphas. Relative to RU 39 411 (11beta-[p(dimethylaminoethoxy)phenyl]estradiol), the most closely related and chemically inert analogue of 1, the two electrophiles irreversibly inhibited [(3)H]estradiol binding to the lamb ERalpha. The fact that the compound effects were prevented (i) when the ERalpha hormone-binding site was occupied by estradiol and (ii) when the ERalpha-containing extracts were pretreated with methyl methanethiosulfonate (an SH-specific reagent) suggested that the compounds specifically alkylated ERalpha at cysteine residues. Wild-type human ERalpha was alkylated as efficiently as lamb ER, whereas the quadruple cysteine --> alanine mutant, in which all cysteines of the hormone-binding domain (residues 381, 417, 447, and 530) were changed to alanines, showed no significant electrophile labeling. The single C530A mutant was much less sensitive to the action of the electrophiles than the three other single mutants (C381A, C417A, and C447A). Moreover, analysis of the three double mutants (C381A/C530A, C417A/C530A, and C447A/C530A) showed that only the C381A/C530A mutant was less susceptible to electrophile labeling than the single C530A mutant. We concluded that in the hormone-binding pocket C530 was the main covalent attachment site of aziridines 1 and 2, whereas C381 could be a secondary site. These results agreed with the crystal structure of the hormone-binding domain of the human ERalpha bound to estrogen or antiestrogen, since C381 and C530 appeared to be (i) located in structural elements involved in delineating the hormone-binding pocket and (ii) in spatial proximity to each other, which was closer in the crystal structure of the ER:antiestrogen complex than in that of the ER:estrogen complex. Since C530 and C381 were also the main and secondary covalent attachment sites of tamoxifen aziridine (a nonsteroidal affinity-labeling agent), we propose a selective mode of superimposition of tamoxifen-class antiestrogens with RU 39 411-class antiestrogens, which could account for the relative positioning of the two types of ligands in the ERalpha hormone-binding pocket.

Animals↗

Inhibition of cell proliferation by 17beta-estradiol and heregulin beta1 in estrogen receptor negative human breast carcinoma cell lines.

Heregulin (HRG) and 17beta-estradiol (E2) interactions that modulate growth of breast cancer cell lines have recently been demonstrated. We examined the ability of heregulin beta1 (HRGbeta1) and 17beta-estradiol to modulate the biological behavior of estrogen receptor (ER) negative human breast cancer cell lines (AU-565). The proliferation of AU-565, MBA-MB231, and SKBR3 cells was additively inhibited by treatment with 17beta-estradiol (10(-6) M) and HRGbeta1 (10 ng/ml). 17-beta estradiol did not support the transcriptional activation of a reporter gene construct containing an estrogen response element transfected into AU-565 cells. This finding suggested functional endogenous ER was not present in AU-565 cells. However, the cells contained a high number of low affinity estrogen binding sites. 17beta-estradiol only slightly decreased basal tyrosine phosphorylation of ErbB-2 and ErbB-3. Estrogen and HRGbeta1 treatment resulted in an increase of c-myc mRNA. We conclude that 17beta-estradiol and HRGbeta1, in combination, potently inhibit cell proliferation of three ER negative breast carcinoma cell lines.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

17Beta-estradiol protects against quinolinic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat brain.

The neurotoxin quinolinic acid has been identified as a causative agent in Huntington's disease and is a metabolite of the tryptophan pathway in the brain. In the present study, the in vivo and in vitro effect of 17beta-estradiol on lipid peroxidation induced by quinolinic acid was investigated. For the in vivo experiments ovariectomized female rats were administered with 100 microg 17beta-estradiol daily for seven days prior to and seven days following the intrahippocampal injection of 1 micromol quinolinic acid. The level of lipid peroxidation in brain homogenate was investigated using the thiobarbituric acid test. The in vitro experiments were performed in brain homogenates of ovariectomized female rats. The homogenate was treated with quinolinic acid alone or in combination with 17beta-estradiol. Quinolinic acid increased lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner in vitro, while homogenate co-treated with 17beta-estradiol showed a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation. 17Beta-estradiol was also shown to be protective against quinolinic acid in vivo. These results could explain the neuroprotective effect of 17beta-estradiol.

Animals↗

Disparity of in vitro and in vivo oleic acid-enhanced beta-estradiol percutaneous absorption across human skin.

The permeation enhancing property of 5% oleic acid in ethanol on beta-estradiol was investigated in vitro and in vivo using symmetrical and asymmetrical side-by-side diffusion cells and the human skin sandwich flap, respectively. beta-Estradiol permeability in vitro and in vivo was similar in 75% ethanol (ETOH). Oleic acid (5%) did not alter beta-estradiol permeability in vivo but increased permeability six-fold in vitro in symmetrical diffusion cells. beta-Estradiol permeability in oleic acid was not different from that in ETOH, however, using asymmetrical diffusion cells. Stratum corneum-to-vehicle partition coefficients of beta-estradiol in the vehicles were similar, yet fourfold more steroid was detected in skin biopsies from the in vitro symmetrical diffusion cells. Thus, oleic acid increased beta-estradiol permeability in vitro only when skin was equilibrated with fatty acid. Attention to in vitro diffusion cell design and its relevance in vivo is critical to defining the mechanisms of enhanced solute permeation.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Human chorionic gonadotropin combined with progesterone for luteal support improves pregnancy rate in patients with low late-midluteal estradiol levels in IVF cycles.

PURPOSE: To investigate how late-midluteal estradiol levels relate to the pregnancy outcome in IVF cycles, and to assess whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for luteal support benefits the pregnancy outcome of patients with low late-midluteal estradiol levels. METHODS: The pregnancy rate of 436 women undergoing first IVF cycles with long protocol and luteal support with progesterone alone were analyzed. Unsuccessful women with low late-midluteal estradiol levels (< 100 pg/mL) proceeded with the exploratory second IVF cycles where they were randomly given with either progesterone alone (P protocol) or hCG +progesterone (P+hCG protocol) for luteal support. RESULTS: Pregnancy rate in women with low late-midluteal estradiol levels was significantly lower compared to that with medium (100-500 pg/mL) and high (> 500 pg/mL) levels (13.3, 26.8, and 36.3%, respectively). P+hCG protocol increased late-midluteal estradiol levels and produced a significantly higher pregnancy rate (31.7%) than P protocol (13.7%). CONCLUSIONS: hCG in combination with progesterone for luteal support was suggested to benefit women undergoing IVF with low late-midluteal estradiol levels.

Adult↗

17 beta -estradiol-mediated vessel assembly and stabilization in tumor angiogenesis requires TGF beta and EGFR crosstalk.

It is widely established that angiogenesis is required during tumor progression. Emerging data, suggests that estrogens can mediate endothelial proliferation and differentiation. We investigated the role of estrogens in the formation and stabilization of capillary-like structures, and identified 17 beta -estradiol-driven pathways involved in vessel assembly. We show that estrogens induce MCF7 breast cancer cells to secrete TGF beta 1. In addition, TGF beta cross talks with EGFR signaling pathway with concomitant up-regulation of EGFR ligand, TGF alpha, promoting cord-like formations in HUVEC cultures. The action of 17 beta -estradiol was not restricted to endothelium, since 17 beta -estradiol also stimulated recovery and migration of a smooth muscle cell line (FLTR) to injured areas again by the cross talk between these two signaling pathways. Finally, given the relevant role of 17 beta -estradiol in vessel stabilization, co-cultures of HUVEC and FLTR cells were established in the presence of 17 beta -estradiol or TGF beta 1. By blocking TGF beta or EGFR signaling, we demonstrate that 17 beta -estradiol promoted vessel stabilization through the interplay of TGF beta 1 and EGFR signaling transduction pathways. Our data suggest that estrogen mediates endothelial cell stabilization and vessel assembly. These vessel protective effects involve TGF beta 1 and EGFR signaling transduction pathways.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Estradiol treatment ameliorates acetic acid-induced gastric and colonic injuries in rats.

To evaluate the role of estrogen treatment on the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric or colonic injury, rats were given 17beta estradiol benzoate (0.001, 0.1, and 10 mg/kg) or vehicle for 7 days (following the induction of ulcer) or 4 days (following the induction of colitis) until they were decapitated. Food intake and fecal output were decreased by estradiol treatment but gastric emptying rate was not changed. Estradiol (10 mg/kg) reduced gastric ulcer index and colonic damage score compared to vehicle-treated groups. SEM and light microscopy demonstrated a significant reduction in the severity of ulcers and colitis by estradiol treatment. Gastric microscopic score was not changed by estradiol treatment, whereas in the colonic tissue score was significantly reduced. Elevated gastric MPO levels were reduced in gastric but not in colonic tissues as compared with corresponding vehicle groups. In conclusion, exogenous estradiol treatment at pharmacological doses improves the healing of both gastric and colonic injury induced by acetic acid in rats.

Acetic Acid↗

Association of interleukin-6 and estradiol with hepatocyte growth factor in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Different cytokines and ovarian steroid hormones have been reported to regulate the growth and maintenance of endometriosis. We determined the relationship between peritoneal fluid concentrations of interleukin-6, ovarian steroids and hepatocyte growth factor in different revised American Fertility Society (AFS) staging and morphologic appearances of endometriosis. METHODS: Peritoneal fluid was collected from 30 women with endometriosis and 20 women without endometriosis during laparoscopy, and hepatocyte growth factor, interleukin(IL)-6 and ovarian steroids were measured in peritoneal fluid. The concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor and IL-6 in peritoneal fluid were measured by ELISA, and that of estradiol and progesterone by using the immulyze-enzyme amplified luminescence system. Changes in peritoneal fluid concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor, IL-6, estradiol and progesterone in different stages and morphologic appearances of endometriosis were examined to demonstrate their differences in early and advanced endometriosis. RESULTS: Peritoneal fluid levels of hepatocyte growth factor in women with stage I-II endometriosis were significantly higher than in both women with stage III-IV endometriosis and without endometriosis. A similar significant increase in stage I-II endometriosis was also observed for IL-6 and estradiol. When we divided the women according to different morphologic appearances of endometriosis, we found significantly higher concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), IL-6, estradiol and progesterone in women containing red lesions compared with other pigments or without endometriosis. A positive correlation was observed between peritoneal fluid levels of IL-6 and hepatocyte growth factor only but not between other markers. Although estradiol levels in peritoneal fluid showed an increased tendency to elevate in the proliferative phase of endometriosis women, hepatocyte growth factor and progesterone displayed higher concentrations in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. After adjusting different variables in peritoneal fluid, multiple analysis of covariance indicated that hepatocyte growth factor levels in peritoneal fluid were independently involved in the red morphologic activity of endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Early staging and red color appearance of endometriosis are associated with the elevation in peritoneal fluid concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor, IL-6 and estradiol, demonstrating the combined effect of these cytokines and ovarian steroids in the production of hepatocyte growth factor from endometrial tissues in active endometriosis.

Adult↗

Posttraining intrahippocampal estradiol injections enhance spatial memory in male rats: interaction with cholinergic systems.

Male Long-Evans rats received an 8-trial training session in a spatial water maze task, followed by a unilateral posttraining intrahippocampal injection of either estradiol (1.0 microgram/0.5 microliter) or saline. Retention was tested 24 hr later, and latency to escape was used as a measure of memory. Retention test escape latencies of rats given intrahippocampal injections of estradiol were lower than those of saline-treated rats, indicating an enhancement of memory. Intrahippocampal injections of estradiol delayed 2 hr posttraining did not affect retention. In Experiment 2, the memory enhancing effect of intrahippocampal injection of estradiol was blocked by peripheral administration of a subeffective dose (0.1 mg/kg) of the cholinergic antagonist scopolamine. Intrahippocampal injections of estradiol enhance memory in male rats, and estradiol may influence memory through an interaction with muscarinic cholinergic systems.

Animals↗

Central implants of dilute estradiol enhance the satiety effect of CCK-8.

The following studies evaluated whether direct placement of estradiol into different brain areas could increase the satiating potency of CCK in female rats. In Experiment 1, estradiol implants in the PVN, but not in the VMN or third ventricle, significantly enhanced the satiety actions of CCK (5.0 micrograms/kg). In Experiment 2, a lower dose of CCK (0.5 micrograms/kg) suppressed food intake in females with estradiol implants in the PVN but not in animals with implants in the VMN or preoptic area. In both experiments, estradiol implants in the PVN significantly lowered food intake and body weight during the 2-day period of hormone treatment. Implants in other areas had no significant effects on feeding or body weight. These data support the hypothesis that the satiety effect of CCK is enhanced by estradiol and suggest that the PVN is involved in the interaction between CCK and estradiol.

Animals↗

Estradiol's effects on learning and neuronal morphology vary with route of administration.

Estrogen's effects on performance and neuronal morphology are variable, and the reasons for this variability are not yet understood. In this study, the authors compared the effects of 2 delivery routes of 17 beta-estradiol on spatial learning and dendritic spine densities in young ovariectomized rats; estradiol was administered by implanted capsules or by daily oral gavage. Estradiol treatment via capsules improved performance in the radial-arm water maze and increased spine densities on dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal formation. In contrast, daily oral administration of estradiol did not affect either measure. These data demonstrate that estradiol delivery is a critical variable in animal studies and that clinical studies comparing the effects of different estradiol treatment routes on cognition are warranted.

Animals↗