A Monoclonal Antibody to Oestradiol Potentiates the Stimulation of the Specific Activity of the Brain Type Creatine Kinase by Oestrogen in vivo and in vitro

We described previously the in vivo immunoneutralization effects of a high affinity anti-oestradiol antibody clone 15 in blocking ovulation and synaptic remodeling in cycling female rats. In the present study we report the enhancing effects of this antibody. Treatment of ovariectomized female rats or female derived skeletal cell cultures in vitro with anti-E₂ 15 plus oestrogen (E₂) potentiated the specific activity of the brain type creatine kinase (CK) response to E₂ in the rat tissues or skeletal cells. The enhancing CK response of anti E₂ 15 plus E₂ was time- and dose-dependent in the uterus, thymus, epiphysis and diaphysis of ovariectomized female rats. In the pituitary, on the other hand, anti-E₂ 15 blocked the stimulatory CK response to E₂. Two other high affinity anti-E₂ anti-bodies, clones 8D₉ and 11B₆, had no effect in augmenting the response of CK to E₂ in rat tissues. Moreover, the enhancing CK response in rat tissues was specific to anti-E₂ 15 plus E₂ since the intact anti-E₂ in the presence of other oestrogen mimetics, such as oestriol or stilbestrol or tamoxifen did not potentiate the CK response in rat tissues. In this model system the Fab' monomer of anti-E₂ 15 abolished the CK response to E₂ in rat tissues and not to anti-E₂ 15 plus E₂ whereas tamoxifen completely blocked the CK response to anti E₂ plus E₂. Anti E₂ 15 may therefore serve as a specific carrier in delivering E₂ to oestrogen sensitive rat tissues or cells containing functional oestrogen receptors and thereby increasing the magnitude of E₂ effects in vivo and in vitro.     

DT56a (Femarelle): a natural selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)

A selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) is defined as a substance with dissimilar effects on different tissues: agonist in some and antagonists in others. The natural compound DT56a (Femarelle) was shown to activate estrogen receptors in human cultured female derived osteoblasts. It was also shown to relieve menopausal symptoms and to increase bone mineral density with no effect on sex steroid hormone levels and on the endometrial thickness. DT56a, similarly to estradiol-17β (E₂), stimulated the specific activity of creatine kinase (CK) in skeletal and vascular tissues of female rats, as a marker of estrogen receptor (ER) activation. However, in the uterus, CK was activated only by E₂ but not by DT56a. In order to prove that DT56a is a SERM, we examined the mutual interaction between DT56a and E₂, at supra physiological doses, in different tissues in both intact and ovariectomized female rats, as well as in human cultured vascular and bone cells. Administration of DT56a or E₂ stimulated CK in all tissues tested, but when given simultaneously, in intact immature female rats, DT56a completely abolished E₂ stimulation of CK in all organs except in the diaphyseal bone where the inhibition was partial. In ovariectomized female rats, DT56a abolished E₂'s stimulation of CK in diaphyseal bone, thymus, uterus and pituitary but caused a partial inhibition in aorta, left ventricle and epiphyseal cartilage. In human bone cells E₂ stimulation of CK, of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and of DNA synthesis was completely abolished by DT56a in post-menopausal cells and partially inhibited in pre-menopausal cells. In human vascular cells, inhibition of DNA synthesis by E₂ was completely abolished by DT56a and E₂-induced CK was partially inhibited by DT56a. The results support the finding that DT56a is a SERM; it stimulated different parameters similar to E₂, but when given simultaneously, at supra physiological doses, inhibited these E₂'s effects. Further investigations regarding intra and extra cellular mechanism of action of DT56a are currently performed.     

Estrogen effects on NADH oxidase and superoxide dismutase in prepubertal female rats

Thirty-four day old, ovariectomised rats were treated with increasing doses of estradiol, 2-hydroxyestradiol 2,3-dimethyl ether (23E₂), 4-hydroxyestradiol 3,4-dimethyl ether (34E₂) and 4-methoxy-estradiol (4ME₂) for five days by subcutaneous injection. Superoxide dismutase, phenol activated NADH oxidase and uterine dry weights were determined. Only estradiol was found to be uterotrophic and increased NADH oxidase activity in these experiments. Both 23E₂ and 34E₂ treatment reduced the enzyme activity significantly. Though 4ME₂ showed a decrease in NADH oxidase at 0.05μg/100gm body weight there was no further decrease at higher dose (5μg/100gm). The Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in uterus and liver was unaffected by estradiol, while 23E₂, 34E₂, and 4ME₂ significantly reduced SOD in both liver and uterus. These results indicate that 23E₂, 34E₂ and 4ME₂, in spite of their non-uterotrophic property, affect uterine metabolism. Furthermore, in view of the reports indicating the importance of SOD levels in various tumors and since catecholestrogens are observed to reduce SOD levels in liver and uterus, it is suggestive that catecholestrogens may play an important role in the pathophysiology of certain tumors.     

Effects of long-term treatment with estradiol or clomiphene citrate on bone maintenance, and pituitary and uterine weights in ovariectomized rats

Long-term estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women can bring relief to hot flushes and reduce loss of bone mass due to osteoporosis, however, such treatment often can cause uterine hyperplasia and other undesirable effects. This study compared changes in bone mineral content (BMC), uterine weight, pituitary weight and pituitary gonadotropin content in the ovariectomized rat model following treatment with estradiol (E₂) or two levels of clomiphene citrate (CC), an estrogen agonist/antagonist.

Groups (n = 8–12) of adult ovariectomized (OVX) rats were implanted with E₂ pellets (5 μg/day) or injected subcutaneously with CC at 1 mg/kg body wt (CC-1) or 5 mg/kg body wt (CC-5) twice weekly for 12 months. Placebo implanted OVX and intact (INT) female rats served as negative and positive controls, respectively. Following treatment, the uterus, pituitary gland and right femur were collected from each animal.

E₂ treatment increased (P<0.05) uterine weight compared to all other treatment groups, while both CC doses increased uterine weight over the OVX group only (E₂, 0.24±0.03; INT, 0.14±0.01; CC-1, 0.06±0.01; CC-5, 0.07±0.01; and OVX, 0.02±0.01 g per 100 g body wt). Pituitary weight was increased 15-fold (P<0.05) by E₂ treatment over all other treatment groups (E₂, 65.7±13.9; INT, 4.0±0.5; CC-1, 3.3±0.03; CC-5, 2.7±0.2; and OVX, 2.9±0.02 mg per 100 g body wt). Both E₂ and CC treatments reduced pituitary luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone content (μg/pit) to INT levels and were lower (P<0.05) than OVX levels. Mean BMC of E₂, CC-1- or CC-5-treated rats was greater (P<0.05) than that of either the INT or OVX groups, while INT animals had a higher BMC compared to OVX animals (E₂, 0.027±0.003; CC-1, 0.026±0.001; CC-5, 0.028±0.001; INT, 0.021±0.001; and OVX, 0.017±0.001 g/cm per 100 g body wt). These data indicate that CC has the potential to reduce bone mineral loss without causing other undesirable effects, including uterine hyperstimulation, and thus needs to be further investigated.     

Regulation of proliferation of rat cartilage and bone by sex steroid hormones

We have demonstrated previously that 17β-estradiol (E₂) stimulates proliferation of skeletal tissues, both in vivo and in vitro, as measured by increased DNA synthesis and creatine kinase (CK) specific activity. The effect of E₂ on bone is sex specific. E₂ is active only in females and androgens only in males. By contrast, in cartilage of both sexes, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as well as E₂ stimulates CK specific activity and DNA synthesis. In bone, we find that sex steroids stimulate skeletal cell proliferation in gonadectomized as well as in immature rats. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats, between 1 and 4 weeks after surgery, show stimulation of CK by E₂. The basal activity and response of CK changes with the varying endogenous levels of E₂ in cycling rats, in which the highest basal activity is at proestrus and estrus and the highest response is in diestrus. In rats of all ages tested, both the basal and stimulated specific activity of CK is higher in diaphysis and epiphysis than in the uterus, or in the adipose tissue adjacent to the uterus, which has a response similar to that of the uterus itself. The effect of E₂ in vivo, and in chrondroblasts and osteoblasts in vitro, is inhibited by high levels of the antiestrogen tamoxifen which, by itself, in similar high concentrations, shows stimulatory effects. In addition to the sex steroids, skeletal cells are also stimulated by secosteroid and peptide calciotrophic hormones. The interactions of the sex steroids and the other calciotrophic hormones. These results provide the first steps towards understanding the regulation of bone cell proliferation and growth by the concerted action of a variety of hormones and growth factors.     

In vivo response of secretory component in the rat uterus to antigen, IFN-gamma, and estradiol

Intrauterine immunization of ovariectomized rats with SRBC is known to elicit pronounced IgA and IgG antibody responses in uterine secretions of immunized uteri. To determine whether secretory component (SC), the receptor for transporting polymeric IgA from tissues to mucosal surfaces, was also influenced by Ag, ovariectomized rats were immunized and boosted by placing SRBC into the lumena of individual uterine horns. In response to Ag, the levels of polymeric IgA, as well as free SC and SC bound to polymeric IgA, increased in uterine secretions. When ovariectomized animals were treated with estradiol, a fivefold increase in SC levels was observed in the immunized horns, indicating that a hormone response is superimposed on the Ag-induced stimulation of uterine SC. To determine whether IFN-gamma influences the presence of SC in uterine secretions, IFN-gamma was placed in the uterine lumena of ovariectomized nonimmunized rats. When uterine secretions were analyzed, significantly higher levels of SC were found in IFN-gamma-exposed uteri than were present in saline treated control animals. In contrast, intrauterine instillation of IFN-gamma had no effect on the levels of IgA in uterine secretions. This response was specific for IFN-gamma in that IFN-alpha/beta had no effect on uterine SC or IgA levels. These results indicate that intrauterine instillation of Ag, in addition to evoking pronounced antibody responses, stimulates the production of SC, which may be responsible for the transport of polymeric IgA from tissue to uterine secretions. Furthermore, they indicate that IFN-gamma placed in the uterine lumen stimulates SC production and suggest that the uterine SC response to Ag may be mediated by the action of IFN-gamma on uterine epithelial cells.     

雌激素对SD大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注肾小管上皮细胞Cx43蛋白表达的影响

为了探讨雌激素（estrogen,E₂）对SD大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注（ischemia-reperfusion,I/R）肾小管上皮细胞Cx43蛋白表达的影响,选取32只健康雌性SD大鼠作为实验材料,所有雌性SD大鼠均先实施去卵巢（ovariectomized,OVX）处理,之后32只雌性OVX SD大鼠随机分为OVX组、OVX+假手术组、OVX+I/R组、OVX+I/R+E₂组,每组8只。去卵巢2周后,OVX组不进行任何处理,OVX+Sham组进行假手术处理,OVX+I/R组进行缺血再灌注处理,OVX+I/R+E₂组在进行缺血再灌注处理前,连续3 d予以雌激素处理。通过比较各组SD大鼠血肌酐水平、尿素氮水平、肾脏HE染色及Paller评分,评价肾脏组织损伤程度,并通过免疫组化和蛋白印迹法分析各组SD大鼠肾小管上皮细胞中Cx43蛋白的表达位置及水平。与OVX组比较,OVX+I/R组血清BUN、SCr水平明显升高（P<0.05）;与OVX+I/R组比较,OVX+I/R+E₂组血清BUN、SCr水平明显降低（P<0.05）。HE染色观察发现,与OVX组相比,OVX+I/R组肾小管扩张明显,部分细胞碎裂坏死,Paller评分明显升高（P<0.05）;与OVX+I/R组相比,OVX+I/R+E2组可见肾小管轻度扩张,细胞结构较为完整,Paller评分明显下降（P<0.05）。通过免疫组化发现,OVX+I/R组Cx43蛋白在肾小管上皮细胞中阳性表达高于OVX组及OVX+Sham组（P<0.05）,OVX+I/R+E₂组Cx43蛋白表达低于OVX+I/R组（P<0.05）。Western blotting结果显示,与OVX组相比,OVX+I/R组Cx43蛋白在肾小管上皮细胞中表达量增加,肾脏损伤后肾小管上皮细胞Cx43表达明显上调（P<0.05）;与OVX+I/R组相比,OVX+I/R+E₂组经过雌激素干预后,肾脏功能损伤减轻,肾小管上皮细胞Cx43的蛋白表达量下调（P<0.05）。结果表明雌激素可减轻肾缺血再灌注损伤造成的肾脏损伤,其可能是通过调节肾小管上皮细胞中Cx43的表达实现的。研究结果为临床治疗肾脏缺血再灌注损伤提供了新的思路。     

Changes in levels of mRNAs of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, -β2, -β3, TGF-β type II receptor and sulfated glycoprotein-2 during apoptosis of mouse uterine epithelium

To examine the roles played by transforming growth factors (TGF)-β1, -β2, -β3, and TGF-β type II receptors in the induction of apoptosis in the mouse uterine epithelium after estrogen deprivation, we investigated the expression of their mRNAs and the mRNA of sulfated glycoprotein-2 (SGP-2). Pellets containing 100 μg estradiol-17β (E₂) were implanted into ovariectomized mice and removed four days later. Apoptotic indices (percentage of apoptotic cells) of both luminal and glandular epithelia increased after E₂ pellets were removed, but administration of progesterone (P), 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or continued implantation of E₂ pellets suppressed this increase. Levels of mRNAs of TGF-β1, -β2, and -β3, and SGP-2 did not increase after estrogen deprivation. However, estrogen deprivation caused a gradual increase in the level of TGF-β type II receptor mRNA, and its level increased about six-fold six days later. Moreover, E₂, P, and DHT markedly decreased the level of TGF-β type II receptor mRNA. In situ hybridization demonstrated that mRNAs of TGF-β1, -β2, -β3 and TGF-β type II receptor were localized to the epithelium. Exogenous administration of TGF-β1 into the uterine stroma induced apoptosis in the epithelium, a finding that suggests that signals produced by TGF-βs can induce apoptosis. Therefore, the present results suggest that increased sensitivity of uterine epithelial cells to TGF-βs, as demonstrated by an increase in TGF-β type II receptor mRNA, is involved in the induction of apoptosis after estrogen deprivation, although signals produced by TGF-βs do not appear sufficient to induce apoptosis.     

Oestradiol synthesis from oestrone in malignant breast epithelial cells: Studies on a high affinity, 80 kDa form of oestradiol dehydrogenase

Previous studies have shown that in the breast there are multiple forms of the enzyme oestradiol dehydrogenase (E₂DH), responsible for the interconversion of oestrone (E₁) to oestradiol (E₂). We have now re-examined oestrogen metabolism in the breast cancer cell lines (T47D and MCF-7) and have shown that steroids previously shown to inhibit the conversion of E₁ to E₂ in normal breast tissue failed to do so when added to growing monolayers of these malignant cells. In contrast to earlier estimates in normal breast tissues, the apparent K_m for this conversion in monolayers of these malignant cells is shown here to be considerably lower, at around 50 nM. Cell free studies on these cell lines have revealed the presence of a high affinity (for E₁) form of this enzyme of M_W 80 kDa. The ability to detect this enzyme in soluble cell fractions appears to be critically dependent on buffer composition. Normal breast epithelial cells and adipose tissue appear to be devoid of this form of E₂DH. As this form of E₂DH has the highest affinity for the substrate E₁ of all the forms in the breast, it is probable that this 80 kDa enzyme is responsible for the conversion of E₁ to E₂ in cell monolayers. If the observation holds that the 80 kDa enzyme is absent in the normal tissues, then the possibility arises that this E₂DH may be linked with the neoplastic process in some breast tumours containing malignant epithelial cells of a similar type as studied here.     

Effect of prostaglandins on protein, RNA, DNA and collagen synthesis in experimental wounds

The effect of exogenous prostaglandins E₁, E₂ and F₂ (PGE₁, PGE₂ and PGF₂) on ³H-leucine, ³H-uridine, ³H-thymidine and ³H-proline incorporation in experimental cutaneous wounds has been studied in rats.

Prostaglandins E₁ and E₂ markedly stimulate the incorporation of these tritiated precursors, into protein, RNA, DNA and collagen synthesis, whereas F₂ inhibits it. All tested prostaglandins exhibit their maximum effect within the first hours following administration. Most active is PGE₁. These observations indicate that application of prostaglandins significantly stimulate incorporation with protein, RNA, DNA and collagen synthesis in the skin of wounded rats and thus, may play a role in epidermal cell growth and division as well as in scar-forming tissue.     

Effects of 9-ene-tetrahydrocannabinol on expression of β-type transforming growth factors, insulin-like growth factor-I and c-myc genes in the mouse uterus

Effects of cannabinoid on expression of β-type transforming growth factors (TGF-β1, -β2 and -β3), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and c-myc genes in the uteri of adult ovariectomized mice were examined using Northern blot hybridization. Mice were exposed to 9-ene-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alone or in combination with an injection of estradiol-17β (E₂) and/or progesterone (P₄), and uteri were analyzed at various times thereafter. TGF-β isoform messenger RNAs (mRNAs) persisted in ovariectomized uteri and their levels were not altered after THC treatment, whereas an injection of E₂ caused a modest increase in TGF-β1 and -β3 mRNA levels at 24 h. Imposition of THC treatment advanced the stimulatory effects of E₂ by changing the timing for the peak of TGF-β3 mRNA levels to 12 h. In comparison, E₂ treatment substantially elevated the levels of TGF-β2 mRNA at 6 h, and THC potentiated this E₂ response without affecting the timing for the response. Imposition of P₄ treatment did not antagonize any of these responses. P₄ treatment alone or with THC had insignificant effects on mRNA levels for these TGF-β isoforms. Uterine levels of IGF-I and c-myc mRNAs were low in ovariectomized mice and THC did not alter these mRNA levels. In contrast, E₂ treatment induced a rapid, but transient, increase in IGF-I and c-myc mRNAs, and THC antagonized the rapid c-myc mRNA response and altered the timing of the IGF-I mRNA response. P₄ treatment alone also caused the transient induction of these mRNAs, but THC failed to antagonize these effects. An injection of P₄ plus E₂ resulted in further modest increases in IGF-I and c-myc mRNA levels as compared to E₂ or P₄ treatment alone. However, THC did not antagonize these transient stimulatory effects of the combined ovarian steroids. The data suggest that THC should not be classified as estrogenic or antiestrogenic. However, this compound can modulate (potentiate, antagonize and/or alter timing) the effects of ovarian steroids on uterine gene expression.     

The membrane effects of 17beta-estradiol on chondrocyte phenotypic expression are mediated by activation of protein kinase C through phospholipase C and G-proteins

Growth plate chondrocytes from both male and female rats have nuclear receptors for 17β-estradiol (E₂); however, recent studies indicate that an alternative pathway involving a membrane receptor may also be involved in the female cell response. E₂ directly affects the fluidity of chondrocyte membranes derived from female, but not male, rats. In addition, E₂ activates PKC in a nongenomic manner in female cells, and chelerythrine, a specific inhibitor of PKC, inhibits E₂-dependent alkaline phosphatase activity in these cells, indicating PKC is involved in the signal transduction mechanism. The aims of this study were: (1) to examine if PKC mediates the effect of E₂ on chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and matrix synthesis; and (2) to determine the pathway that mediates the membrane effect of E₂ on PKC. Confluent, fourth passage resting zone (RC) and growth zone (GC) chondrocytes from female rat costochondral cartilage were treated with 10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻⁷ M E₂ in the presence or absence of the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, and changes in alkaline phosphatase specific activity, proteoglycan sulfation, and [³H]thymidine incorporation were measured. To examine the pathway of PKC activation, chondrocyte cultures were treated with E₂ in the presence or absence of genistein (an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases), U73122 or D609 (inhibitors of phospholipase C [PLC]), quinacrine (an inhibitor of phospholipase A₂ [PLA₂]), and melittin (an activator of PLA₂). Alkaline phosphatase specific activity and proteoglycan sulfation were increased and [³H]thymidine incorporation was decreased by E₂. The effects of E₂ on all parameters were blocked by chelerythrine. Treatment of the cultures with E₂ produced a significant dose-dependent increase in PKC. U73122 dose-dependently inhibited the activation of PKC in E₂-stimulated female chondrocyte cultures. However, the classical receptor antagonist ICI 182780 was unable to block the stimulatory effect of E₂ on PKC. Moreover, the classical receptor agonist diethylstilbestrol (DES) had no effect on PKC, nor did it alter the stimulatory effect of E₂. Inhibition of tyrosine kinase and PLA₂ had no effect on the activation of PKC by E₂. The PLA₂ activator also had no effect on PKC activation by E₂. E₂ stimulated PKC activity in membranes isolated from the chondrocytes, demonstrating a direct membrane effect for this steroid hormone. These data indicate that the rapid nongenomic effect of E₂ on PKC activity in chondrocytes from female rats is sex-specific and dependent upon a G-protein-coupled phospholipase C.     

Sex hormone regulation of anti-bacterial activity in rat uterine secretions and apical release of anti-bacterial factor(s) by uterine epithelial cells in culture

In mature female rats, sex hormones regulate the reproductive (estrous) cycle to optimize mating and fertility. During the part of the estrous cycle when mating occurs, and when estrogen is the dominant sex hormone, the uterus is susceptible to infection with bacteria that can be deleterious for survival and fertility. The present study investigated whether sex hormones regulate innate immunity in the female reproductive tract by affecting the secretion of an anti-bacterial factor(s) in the rat uterus. Uterine fluids from intact rats at the proestrous stage of the estrous cycle significantly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth. When ovariectomized rats were treated with estradiol, anti-bacterial activity against both S. aureus and Escherichia coli increased in uterine secretions with hormone treatment. In contrast, rats injected with either progesterone and estradiol or progesterone alone displayed no bactericidal activity indicating that progesterone reversed the stimulatory effect of estradiol on anti-bacterial activity. In other studies, isolated uterine epithelial cells from intact animals were grown to confluence and high transepithelial resistance on cell inserts. Analysis of apical secretions indicated that a soluble factor(s) is released by polarized epithelial cells which inhibits bacterial growth. These results demonstrate that sex hormones influence the presence of a broad-spectrum bactericidal factor(s) in luminal secretions of the rat uterus. Further these studies suggest that epithelial cells which line the uterine lumen are a primary source of anti-bacterial activity.     

Estradiol regulation of secretory component in the uterus of the rat: evidence for involvement of RNA synthesis

The present studies were undertaken to characterize the response of uterine secretory component (SC) to estradiol. Administration of estradiol for 3 days to ovariectomized rats before incubation of uterine tissues resulted in a marked accumulation of SC in the incubation media. When uteri from ovariectomized rats treated with progesterone or testosterone were incubated, very little SC accumulated in the media, indicating that the estradiol-stimulated increase is hormone-specific. When uteri from rats that received estradiol for 6 days were compared with uteri from 3-day treated rats, SC release during a 24-hr incubation period was the same. This finding indicates that in the presence of prolonged estradiol exposure, SC production continues. The estradiol-induced accumulation of SC in culture is not due to the release of pre-formed uterine SC. When tissue SC levels were measured after 3 days of estradiol treatment, very little tissue SC was found relative to that released into culture media during 24 hr of incubation. The addition of actinomycin D to the incubation media markedly inhibited SC release by uteri from estradiol-treated rats. The release of SC was also inhibited by alpha-amanitin, a known inhibitor of Type II polymerase. These studies demonstrate that estradiol stimulation of SC is markedly reduced by inhibitors of RNA synthesis, and suggest that estradiol regulation of SC is mediated through uterine mRNA synthesis.     

Estrogen metabolism and formation of estrogen-DNA adducts in estradiol-treated MCF-10F cells. The effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin induction and catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibition

Formation of estrogen metabolites that react with DNA is thought to be a mechanism of cancer initiation by estrogens. The estrogens estrone (E₁) and estradiol (E₂) can form catechol estrogen (CE) metabolites, catechol estrogen quinones [E₁(E₂)-3,4-Q], which react with DNA to form predominantly depurinating adducts. This may lead to mutations that initiate cancer. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyzes an inactivation (protective) pathway for CE. This study investigated the effect of inhibiting COMT activity on the levels of depurinating 4-OHE₁(E₂)-1-N3Ade and 4-OHE₁(E₂)-1-N7Gua adducts in human breast epithelial cells. MCF-10F cells were treated with TCDD, a cytochrome P450 inducer, then with E₂ and Ro41-0960, a COMT inhibitor. Estrogen metabolites and depurinating DNA adducts in culture medium were analyzed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Pre-treatment of cells with TCDD increased E₂ metabolism to 4-OHE₁(E₂) and 4-OCH₃E₁(E₂). Inclusion of Ro41-0960 and E₂ in the medium blocked formation of methoxy CE, and depurinating adducts were observed. With Ro41-0960, more adducts were detected in MCF-10F cells exposed to 1 μM E₂, whereas without the inhibitor, no increases in adducts were detected with E₂ ≤ 10 μM. We conclude that low COMT activity and increased formation of depurinating adducts can be critical factors leading to initiation of breast cancer.     

Evidence for the DNA binding and adduct formation of estrone and 17β-estradiol after dimethyldioxirane activation

Estrogens, used widely from hormone replacement therapy to cancer treatment, are themselves carcinogenic, causing uterine and breast cancers. However, the mechanism of their carcinogenic action is still not known. Recently, we found that estrone (E₁) and 17β-estradiol (E₂) could be activated by the versatile epoxide-forming oxidant dimethyldioxirane (DMDO), resulting in the inhibition of rat liver nuclear and nucleolar RNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Since epoxidation is often required for the activation of chemical carcinogens, we proposed that estrogen epoxidation is the underlying mechanism for the initiation of estrogen carcinogenesis (Carcinogenesis 17 (1996) 1957–1961). It is known that initiation requires the binding of a carcinogen to DNA with the formation of DNA adducts. One of the critical tests of our hypothesis is therefore to determine whether E₁ and E₂ after activation are able to bind DNA. This paper reports that after DMDO activation, [³H]E₁ and [³H]E₂ were able to bind to both A-T and G-C containing DNAs. Furthermore, the formation of E₁–DNA and E₂–DNA adducts was detected by ³²P-postlabeling analysis.     

Estradiol regulation of the secretory immune system in the female reproductive tract: IgA in uterine and vaginal secretions of rats following portacaval anastomosis

The uterine immune system is under the control of estradiol which acts to increase the levels of both IgA and secretory component (SC) in uterine secretions. The objective of the present study was to determine whether serum is the primary source of the IgA which enters uterine secretions in response to estradiol. To examine this, serum IgA levels in rats were surgically elevated by portacaval anastomosis which prevents hepatic clearance of IgA. Under these conditions, IgA levels in serum were 2- to 4-fold higher than those of intact or sham-operated animals. Levels of IgA in uterine secretions of portacaval animals, however, were significantly lower than those measured in controls when animals were ovariectomized and treated with estradiol. IgA in vaginal secretions of portacaval animals was greater than that in sham-operated or intact rats. To determine whether IgA had leaked from the uterus into vaginal secretions, a second group of animals had their uteri ligated at the utero-cervical junction prior to hormone treatment. Following estradiol stimulation, uterine IgA levels in portacaval animals were the same as those measured in intact and sham-operated animals. When free SC was measured in uterine secretions of ligated rats, levels were the same in all three groups. These studies indicate that elevated levels of serum IgA did not lead to a rise in uterine IgA. Further, since SC, which is thought to be a receptor for transporting IgA into mucosal secretions, remained unchanged, it appears unlikely that IgA movement into the uterine lumen was transport limited. These studies suggest that the presence of IgA in uterine and vaginal secretions is not due exclusively to serum contributions but may involve local synthesis of IgA.     

Tissue selective action of tamoxifen methiodide, raloxifene and tamoxifen on creatine kinase B activity in vitro and in vivo

We have compared the cell and tissue selective estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities of tamoxifen, raloxifene, ICI 164,384 and a permanently ionized derivative of tamoxifen — tamoxifen methiodide (TMI). This non-steroidal antiestrogen has limited ability to cross the blood brain barrier and is therefore less likely to cause the central nervous system disturbances caused by tamoxifen. We have used the stimulation of the specific activity of the “estrogen induced protein”, creatine kinase BB, as a response marker in bone, cartilage, uterine and adipose cells and in rat skeletal tissues, uterus and mesometrial adipose tissue. In vitro, TMI, tamoxifen and raloxifene mimicked the agonistic action of 17β-estradiol in ROS 17/2.8 rat osteogenic osteosarcoma, female calvaria, and SaOS₂ human osteoblast cells. In Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells, tamoxifen showed reduced agonistic effects and raloxifene showed no stimulation. However, as antagonists, tamoxifen and raloxifene were equally effective in Ishikawa or SaOS₂ cells. In immature rats, all four of the antiestrogens inhibited estrogen action in diaphysis, epiphysis, uterus and mesometrial adipose tissue; when administered alone, tamoxifen stimulated creatine kinase (CK) specific activity in all these tissues. Raloxifene and TMI, however, stimulated only the skeletal tissues and had no stimulatory effect in the uterus or mesometrial fat, and the pure antiestrogen ICI 164,384 showed no stimulatory effect in any of the tissues. The simultaneous injection of estrogen, plus an antiestrogen which acted as an agonist, resulted in lower CK activity than after injection of either agent alone. These differential effects, in vivo and in vitro, may point the way to a wider therapeutic choice of an appropriate antiestrogen which, although antagonizing E₂ action in mammary cancer, can still protect against osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and not stimulate the uterus with its attendant undesirable changes, or interfere with the beneficial action of E₂ in the brain.     

孕康口服液对肾虚-黄体抑制型先兆流产大鼠的安胎作用

目的:孕康口服液为已上市中成药,为进一步评价其药效,本实验通过建立肾虚-黄体抑制型先兆流产模型,观察孕康口服液的安胎作用。方法:60只妊娠大鼠随机分为正常对照组(NC),模型组(MG),地屈孕酮组(DT,3.02 mg/kg),孕康口服液低剂量组(YK-L,4 ml/kg)、中剂量组(YK-M,6 ml/kg)、高剂量组(YK-H,9 ml/kg),每组10只。自妊娠第1日,每日上午各给药组按规定剂量灌予受试药,NC组、MG组给予等体积的纯化水,连续10 d;每天下午灌胃造模,除NC组给予纯化水外,其余各组按450 mg/kg体质量灌胃羟基脲,连续9 d,第10日按4.0 mg/kg体质量灌胃米非司酮。妊娠第9日,测定各组大鼠背温、抓力、痛阈、自主活动等行为体征;妊娠第11日,各组腹主动脉取血,测定血清雌二醇(E₂)、孕酮(P)、血栓素B₂(TXB₂)水平;摘取卵巢、连胎子宫,观察胚胎个数和直径,计算卵巢、连胎子宫指数。结果:与NC组比较,MG组背温、抓力、痛阈、自主活动次数、胚胎个数、胚胎直径、连胎子宫指数和血清E₂、P、TXB₂水平均显著降低(P＜0.05,0.01)。与MG组比较,孕康口服液各剂量组背温、抓力、胚胎个数、胚胎直径和血清E₂、P水平均显著升高(P＜0.05,0.01);YK-M、YK-H组痛阈、自主活动、连胎子宫指数显著升高(P＜0.05);YK-H组血清TXB₂水平明显升高(P＜0.05)。结论:孕康口服液对肾虚-黄体抑制导致的先兆流产大鼠具有明确的补肾安胎作用,其机制可能与升高血清E₂、P、TXB₂水平,改善肾虚体征和提高胚胎质量有关。