Browsing by Subject "Estrogen"

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    Effects of estrogen on STIM1/Orai1 in the sublingual gland of ovariectomized rats
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2020) Bai, Yun; Li, Bing; Wang, Sinan; Jiang, Hai; Li, Junlei; Wang, Wenjuan; Wang, Ke; Qin, Lihua; Jia, Jing
    Background. Studies have shown that estrogen can protect the function of the sublingual gland, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Besides, the STIM1/Orai1 pathway is important to secretion in the salivary gland. Here, we explore the possible effects of estrogen on sublingual gland function by observing changes of STIM1 and Orai1 levels in the sublingual glands of ovariectomized rats. Methods. 42 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: SHAM, OVX, and OVX+E (n=14 per group). Two weeks after ovariectomy, rats were treated with estrogen (β-estradiol). The expression of STIM1 and Orai1 in the sublingual gland were observed by double label-immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Calcium imaging was conducted to observe changes in cellular Ca 2+ levels. Results. IHC and IF showed that the levels of both STIM1 and Orai1 decreased following ovariectomy, but increased to SHAM levels after estrogen treatment. By IF, STIM1 and Orai1 exhibited perfect co-localization. Calcium imaging results showed that the Ca 2+ in the cells decreased after ovariectomy. Estrogen intervention returned levels of these proteins and Ca 2+ to the same as those in the control group. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that low estrogen status significantly reduced the expression of STIM1 and Orai1 in the sublingual gland of rats, along with cellular Ca 2+ levels. These data provide insight into the likely mechanisms underlying sublingual gland secretion dysfunction during menopause
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    Estrogen-mediated dental tissue regeneration
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2016) Lu, Yadie; Jin, Lin; Lei, Gang; Fu, Yujin; Wang, Yanqiu; Yu, Jinhua
    As the key regulator of hard tissue metabolism in both men and women, estrogen regulates the processes necessary for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation through estrogen receptor (ER). Estrogen deficiency usually causes systemic osteoporosis not only in long bones but also in jaw bones, and exogenous estrogen can enhance the osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells. Dental mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) represent a group of stem cells isolated from different parts of the tooth, including dental pulps, apical papillae and periodontal ligaments. A number of studies have proved that estrogen plays an important role in the proliferation, differentiation and tissue regeneration of human DMSCs. Thus, this review will focus on the effects of estrogen on proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of dental stem cells, discuss evidence from studies in rodents that estrogen plays an important role in dental morphogenesis as well as periodontal remodeling, and suggest directions for future studies in estrogen-related tooth regeneration.
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    Expression of enzymes involved in synthesis and metabolism of estradiol in human breast as studied by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2009) Li, Zhuo; Luu-The, Van; Poisson-Paré, David; Ouellet, Johanne; Li, Songyun; Labrie, Fernand; Pelletier, Georges
    It is well documented that human breast is actively involved in the local formation of estrogens. To determine the site(s) of action of enzymes involved in synthesis and metabolism of the most potent estrogen estradiol (E2), we have studied the expression of the following enzymes: 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3-HSD), 17ß-HSD types 1, 2, 5, 7 and 12, aromatase, steroid sulfatase (STS) and estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) 1E1 at the cellular level in breast. Both in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry were used for enzyme localization in normal breast tissues. For immunocytochemistry, we used rabbit antibodies, while in situ hybridization studies were performed using (35S)- labeled cRNA probes. Similar results were obtained with both approaches. All the enzymes (3ß-HSD; 17ß-HSD types 1, 5, 7 and 12; aromatase) involved in the conversion of circulating dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to E2 as well as STS which converts estradiol sulfate (E2-S) to E2 have been found to be expressed in epithelial cells of acini and/or ducts as well as the stromal cells. Moreover, 17ß-HSD type 2 and EST1E1, two enzymes which inactivate E2, have been also localized in the same cell types. The present results indicate the enzymes which play a role in the synthesis and metabolism of E2 are expressed in both epithelial and stromal cells in human breast.
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    Immunolocalization of thymidylate synthase as a favorable prognostic marker in estrogen receptor-positive breast carcinoma
    (F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2015) Takagi, Kiyoshi; Miki, Yasuhiro; Nakamura, Yasuhiro; Hirakawa, Hisashi; Kakugawa, Yoichiro; Amano, Goro; Watanabe, Mika; Ishida, Takanori; Sasano, Hironobu; Suzuki, Takashi
    Background: Thymidylate synthase (TS) is an enzyme involved in DNA synthesis, and it is a target for 5-fluorouracil. Previous studies have demonstrated that TS is a potent estrogen-induced gene in breast carcinoma cells, suggesting the importance of TS in estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive breast carcinoma. TS immunolocalization has been reported previously, but the clinicopathological significance of TS in ER-positive breast carcinoma still remains unclear. Patients and methods: We immunolocalized TS in 178 breast carcinoma tissues in total, and examined its significance according to the ER-status. Results: TS status was positive in 58% of ERpositive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) cases, and it was significantly associated with the Ki-67 and progesterone receptor (PR). Moreover, in ER-positive DCIS patients who received aromatase inhibitor (AI) before surgery, TS immunoreactivity was significantly decreased after AI treatment. In ER-positive invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) cases, TS status was significantly associated with PR, and it turned out an independent favorable prognostic factor for recurrence of the patients by multivariate analysis. On the other hand, TS status was positively correlated with pathological T factor in ER-negative IDC cases, and tended to have a worse prognosis for disease-free survival of the patients. Conclusion: These results suggest that TS expression is mainly regulated by estrogen in ERpositive breast carcinoma and is associated with estrogen-mediated proliferation. TS status is a favorable prognostic factor in ER-positive IDC patients, which is different from the ER-negative cases.
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    Mechanisms underlying estrogen-induced sexual differentiation in the hypothalamus
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2006) Ohtani-Kaneko, R.
    Estrogen plays critical roles in the sexual differentiation of the developing brain and genderspecific regulation of reproductive neuroendocrinology. Of the different regions of the brain, it is well known that hypothalamic areas contain key sexually differentiated neuronal circuits. Estrogen receptor (ER) proteins localized in the nucleus affect the expression of target genes when bound to their ligand estrogen. However, recent studies suggest that this may not be the only mechanism of estrogen action. Instead, estrogen can influence various cellular events through regulating different signaling pathways. Cross-talk between direct effects of estrogen on gene transcription and its effects on signaling pathways should be examined in future to elucidate mechanisms underlying sexual differentiation in the hypothalamus.
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    Particular functions of estrogen and progesterone in establishment of uterine receptivity and embryo implantation
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2010) Ozturk, Saffet; Demir, Ramazan
    The process of embryo implantation requires synchronized development of blastocyst and timely establishment of uterine receptivity. Establishment of uterine receptivity, preimplantation embryo development and embryo implantation events are mainly regulated by certain factors, including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and steroid hormones. Recent studies suggest that steroid hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, play important roles in supporting endometrial preparations to establish endometrial receptivity. Timely establishment of endometrial receptivity is a crucial process for providing successful embryo implantation. Although many investigations until now have been performed to precisely understand the effects of estrogen and progesterone on acquiring uterine receptivity and embryo implantation in humans and rodents, there are limited numbers of studies that largely focus on this subject. Therefore, in this article we discuss the studies associated with significant functions of estrogen and progesterone in establishing receptive endometrium and the process of embryo implantation in humans and rodents.
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    Similarities and differences of estrogen in the regulation of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and knee osteoarthritis
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2022) Tian, Yajing; Cui, Shengjie; Guo, Yanning; Zhao, Ningrui; Gan, Yehua; Zhou, Yanheng; Wang, Xuedong
    Background. Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) and knee osteoarthritis (knee OA) are two kinds of common osteoarthritis (OA) that are characterized by chronic degeneration of soft and hard tissues around joints. Their gender and age differences suggest that there are similarities and differences between the pathogenic mechanisms of TMJOA and knee OA. Objective. To review recent studies on the effect of estrogen on TMJOA and knee OA, and summarize their possible pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms. Sources. Articles up to present reporting the relationship of estrogen and TMJOA or knee OA are included. An extensive electronic search was conducted of databases including PubMed, Web of science core collection. Conclusion. According to epidemiological investigations, TMJOA primarily happens to females of puberty and childbearing age, while knee OA mainly affects postmenopausal women. Epidemiological investigation and experimental research suggest that estrogen may have a different effect on TMJ and on knee. Though estrogen regulates TMJOA and knee OA via estrogen-related receptors (ERR), their pathogenesis and pathway of estrogen regulation are different. To find out the accurate regulation of estrogen on TMJOA and knee OA, specific pathways and molecular mechanisms still need further exploration.
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    The penis: a new target and source of estrogen in male reproduction
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2006) Mowa, C.N.; Jesmin, S.; Miyauchi, T.
    In the past decade, interest and knowledge in the role of estrogen in male reproduction and fertility has gained significant momentum. More recently, the cellular distribution and activity of estrogen receptors (a and ß)(ER) and aromatase (estrogen synthesis) has been reported in the penis, making the penis the latest “frontier” in the study of estrogen in male reproduction. ER and aromatase are broadly and abundantly expressed in various penile compartments and cell types (erectile tissues, urethral epithelia, vascular and neuronal cells), suggesting the complexity and significance of the estrogen-ER system in penile events. Unraveling this complexity is important and will require utilization of the various resources that are now at our disposal including, animal models and human lacking or deficient in ER and aromatase and the use of advanced and sensitive techniques. Some of the obvious areas that require our attention include: 1) a comprehensive mapping of ER-a and -ß cellular expression in the different penile compartments and subpopulations of cells, 2) delineation of the specific roles of estrogen in the different subpopulations of cells, 3) establishing the relationship of the estrogen-ER system with the androgen-androgen receptor system, if any, and 4) characterizing the specific penile phenotypes in human and animals lacking or deficient in estrogen and ER. Some data generated thus far, although preliminary, appear to challenge the long held dogma that, overall, androgens have a regulatory monopoly of penile development and function.