钛颗粒对大鼠成骨细胞增殖、分化及矿化功能的影响

背景：钛磨损颗粒在人工关节假体周围骨溶解的形成中具有重要作用，其对成骨细胞的影响可能是骨溶解形成的原因之一。 目的：观察钛颗粒对大鼠成骨细胞增殖、分化及矿化功能的影响。 设计、时间及地点：随机分组设计，对比观察，于2008-09/12在上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院骨科实验室完成。 材料：商品化纯钛颗粒(货号：00681；Johnson Matthey，Ward Hill，MA，USA)，平均粒径4.5 μm，86%的颗粒小于 10 μm。 方法：分离培养新生24 h内SD大鼠成骨细胞，选用第3代大鼠成骨细胞接种于培养皿/板中，24 h后细胞完全贴壁，更换无血清培养液孵育24 h，根据是否加入钛颗粒条件培养基分为钛颗粒组和对照组，其后钛颗粒组更换含0.1 g/L钛颗粒的条件培养基，3 d换液1次。对照组同时换液，但不加入含钛颗粒的条件培养基。 主要观察指标：于2，4，7，14 d采用四甲基偶氮唑盐法检测细胞增殖情况；第7天和第14天行碱性磷酸酶染色和碱性磷酸酶定量观察细胞的碱性磷酸酶活性变化；第14，21天行茜素红钙结节染色观察细胞矿化能力的变化。 结果：钛颗粒组与对照组相比各时间点细胞增殖无明显差异(P > 0.05)；7 d和14 d碱性磷酸酶染色可见钛颗粒组较对照组减弱，碱性磷酸酶活性定量分析钛颗粒组明显低于对照组(P < 0.01)；14，21 d茜素红染色可见钛颗粒组钙结节数量较对照组明显降低。 结论：钛颗粒对大鼠成骨细胞分化和矿化功能具有抑制作用，但不影响细胞增殖。     

雌激素和来曲唑对鸡胚额骨成骨细胞影响的差异比较

背景：雌激素对哺乳动物成骨细胞影响研究较多,但其对禽类成骨细胞的影响还未见报道;来曲唑对骨代谢的不良反应报道较多,但其对成骨细胞的影响还未见报道。 目的：实验创新性为通过观察雌激素、来曲唑对体外培养鸡胚成骨细胞增殖、周期及雌激素受体mRNA 表达和碱性磷酸酶活性的影响,以阐明蛋鸡髓质骨的代谢机制。 方法：取15日龄SPF鸡胚,酶消化法获取鸡胚额骨成骨细胞,分别采用不同质量浓度雌激素(0,5,10,20,100,200,400,800,2 000,20 000 ng/L)和来曲唑(0,5,10,25,50,100,250,500,1 000,5 000 μg /L)处理。以四甲基偶氮唑盐法测定细胞增殖率,以pNPP法测定碱性磷酸酶活性,以流式细胞术测定细胞周期情况,以用实时荧光定量PCR法测定雌激素受体mRNA的表达。 结果与结论：雌激素可促进鸡胚成骨细胞增殖,且具有浓度和时间依赖性,雌激素能诱导成骨细胞雌激素受体mRNA表达,推动细胞周期进程,提高鸡胚成骨细胞碱性磷酸酶活性。来曲唑可促进成骨细胞增殖,推动细胞周期进程,抑制成骨细胞雌激素受体mRNA表达,但来曲唑对碱性磷酸酶的合成与分泌没有明显影响。     

泌乳素腺瘤中雌激素受体和增殖细胞核抗原表达水平与肿瘤侵袭性的关系

目的分析泌乳素(PRL)腺瘤中雌激素受体(ER)和增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)表达水平与肿瘤侵袭性的关系。方法对24例侵袭性PRL腺瘤患者(侵袭性组)和32例非侵袭性PRL腺瘤患者(非侵袭性组),采用免疫组化方法检测其腺瘤组织中ER蛋白和PCNA蛋白表达水平;应用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RTPCR)方法检测腺瘤组织中ERmRNA表达水平。结果ER蛋白在侵袭性组中23例阳性表达,积分光密度(IOD)为4935.12±1246.56,显著低于非侵袭性组(P<0.01);PCNA蛋白在侵袭性组中有18例阳性表达,IOD为8456.24±1534.56,与非侵袭性组(14例,4428.56±1426.25)比较差异有极显著性(P<0.01);RTPCR检测显示54例腺瘤患者有ERmRNA特异扩增条带,但侵袭性组表达水平降低(P<0.05)。结论ER表达降低及PCNA表达增高与肿瘤的侵袭性有密切关系,可以作为临床判断肿瘤侵袭性的分子标志。     

雌激素受体基因多态性与多发性硬化

目的　探讨雌激素受体 ( ER)基因多态性与多发性硬化 ( MS)的相关性。方法　应用限制性片段长度多态性聚合酶链反应 ( RFLP-PCR)分析方法 ,检测 63例 MS患者和 95例对照者 ER基因 Pvu 和 Xba 酶切多态性。结果　MS组 P等位基因频率明显高于对照组 ( P=0 .0 2 2 ,OR=1 .70 8,95 % CI:1 .0 78～ 2 .70 5 ) ,且在女性 MS患者 P等位基因分布频率和对照组间差异有显著性 ( P =0 .0 48,OR =1 .82 4,95 % CI :1 .0 0 3～ 3 .3 1 8)。MS组 Ppxx基因型频率明显高于对照组 ( P =0 .0 0 6)。结论　ER基因 Pvu 酶切多态性与 MS存在相关性 ,可能是 MS发病的危险因素之一 ,尤其是携带 P等位基因的女性更易患 MS;Xba 酶切多态性与 MS无相关性     

p38MAPK与新生大鼠成骨细胞的增殖、分化和凋亡

背景：p38MAPK是MAPK信号转导途径的通道之一。但是,p38MAPK如何参与成骨细胞增殖、分化的调控,是否与成骨细胞的凋亡有关,目前尚未见相关文献报道。 目的：观察p38MAPK对新生大鼠成骨细胞增殖、分化和凋亡的影响。 设计、时间及地点：单一样本观察,细胞学体外对比观察,于2007-05/2008-03在解放军兰州军区总院骨科研究所细胞培养室完成。 材料：新生24 h SD大鼠9只用于分离成骨细胞;SB203580(p38MAPK的阻断剂)为Sigma公司产品。 方法：取新生SD大鼠头盖骨成骨细胞。药物刺激组分别加入不同浓度(1×10-6,1×10-7,1×10-8 mol/L )的17β-雌二醇、葛根素;含阻断剂组提前30 min添加10 μmol/LSB203580阻断信号转导通路,再加药物;设空白对照组。 主要观察指标：作用72 h后用四甲基偶氮唑盐法与对硝基苯磷酸法测定细胞的增殖能力和碱性磷酸酶活性,Annexin V-FITC/PI双标记流式细胞仪分析细胞早期凋亡。 结果：加入17β-雌二醇或葛根素药物后,成骨细胞的增殖、分化明显增强,与空白对照组比较差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05);阻断p38MAPK信号转导通路后,细胞增殖未受明显抑制(P > 0.05);分化受到明显抑制,与未阻断组比较差异具有非常显著性意义(P < 0.01)。流式细胞仪分析结果显示,与对照组相比,药物组细胞早期凋亡率明显降低(P < 0.05);与药物刺激组相比,含阻断剂组细胞早期凋亡率无明显变化(P > 0.05)。 结论：17β-雌二醇、葛根素能促进成骨细胞的增殖和分化并抑制其凋亡;p38MAPK在成骨细胞分化过程中发挥重要作用,对成骨细胞的增殖、凋亡无明显影响。     

雌激素受体基因多态性与多发性硬化

目的探讨雌激素受体(ER)基因多态性与云南多发性硬化(MS)女性病人的相关性。方法应用限制性片段长度多态性聚合酶链反应(RFLP-PCR)分析方法,检测24例MS女性患者和30例性别、年龄相匹配的健康对照者ER基因PvuⅡ和XbaⅠ酶切多态性。结果 MS组P等位基因频率与对照组相比差异有显著性(X2=4.296,P<0.05);X等位基因在两组间比较无显著性(X2=0.665,P>0.05);联合基因分析,两组间其基因型频率分布差异无显著性(X2=6.073,P>0.05)。结论 ER基因PvuⅡ酶切多态性与MS具有相关性,可能是云南汉族女性发病的危险因素之一;XbaⅠ酶切多态性与MS无相关性。     

唑来膦酸对大鼠成骨细胞增殖、分化和护骨素/核因子κB受体激动剂配体mRNA表达的影响☆

背景：在应用于预防和治疗假体周围骨溶解时，唑来膦酸可在发挥抑制破骨细胞作用的同时而不影响成骨功能。 目的：观察唑来膦酸对大鼠成骨细胞功能的影响，验证其应用于人工关节置换后假体周围骨溶解的可行性。 设计、时间及地点：观察对照实验，于2007-03/2008-03在华北煤炭医学院中心实验室完成。 材料：新生24 h内SD大鼠，唑来膦酸标准品。 方法：体外培养新生大鼠颅盖骨来源的成骨细胞，应用不同浓度唑来膦酸进行干预，实验组细胞培养基中唑来膦酸终浓度为10-4~10-11 mol/L，对照组不加药, 只加等量细胞悬液和培养基。唑来膦酸干预后分别于第1，2，3，5，7天采用四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法测定吸光度，检测唑来膦酸对成骨细胞增殖的影响；第3天和第5天分别采用荧光定量聚合酶链反应测护骨素和核因子κB受体激动剂配体mRNA表达，以硝基苯基质动力学法测定各组细胞碱性磷酸酶活性。 主要观察指标：成骨细胞增殖情况和碱性磷酸酶活性，护骨素、核因子κB受体激动剂配体mRNA表达水平。 结果：唑来膦酸浓度≥10-5 mol/L时抑制成骨细胞增殖，10-6~10-11 mol/L则不影响细胞增殖。唑来膦酸浓度为10-7 ~10-11 mol/L时碱性磷酸酶活性无变化，而成骨细胞的护骨素mRNA表达增加，核因子κB受体激动剂配体mRNA的表达下降。 结论：唑来膦酸在低浓度时不影响成骨细胞增殖及分化，通过降低成骨细胞核因子κB受体激动剂配体/护骨素的比率而抑制破骨细胞分化，可应用于人工关节置换后假体周围骨溶解。     

体外冲击波对大鼠成骨细胞增殖、分化、黏附及迁移的影响

背景：体外冲击波是治疗骨折延迟愈合或不愈合的一种有效方法,成骨细胞在此过程中发挥着重要的作用。 目的：研究成骨细胞在体外冲击波促进骨折愈合过程中的作用,为提高冲击波治疗效果提供理论支持。 方法：将原代培养的SD大鼠成骨细胞随机分成冲击波组和对照组,应用不同能量的冲击波进行处理后接种于96孔培养板,根据细胞存活率和细胞增殖情况确定适宜的冲击波能量值。钙钴法染色观察成骨细胞碱性磷酸酶,CCK-8试剂盒检测细胞存活,AKP试剂盒检测AKP表达,茜素红染色观察矿化结节,流式细胞仪检测整合素β1及RT-PCR检测整合素β1 mRNA表达,伤口愈合试验观察成骨细胞的迁移率。 结果与结论：冲击波处理体外原代培养成骨细胞的适宜能量为10 kV(500脉冲),冲击波组细胞增殖速度快,细胞分泌碱性磷酸酶水平高,矿化结节面积大,细胞黏附率高,整合素β1及其mRNA的表达均高于对照组 (P < 0.01),且冲击波组细胞迁移的平均距离大于对照组(P < 0.05),提示适宜能量冲击波可促进成骨细胞的增殖、分化、黏附及迁移,同时,整合素β1在细胞黏附及迁移过程中可能扮演了重要的角色。     

雌激素对海人藻酸致大鼠皮层和海马雌激素β受体表达的影响

目的观察添加雌激素后海人藻酸(Kainicacid,KA)致癎大鼠皮层和海马的雌激素β受体(ER-β)的变化。方法用荧光免疫组化法。结果ER-β免疫阳性细胞广泛分布于大鼠的皮层、海马、下丘脑以及杏仁核区域,主要位于细胞核。单纯添力加雌激素(17-βestradiol,E2)组、海人藻酸致癎(KA)组、添加雌激素后海人藻酸致癎(E2加KA)组海马的ER—β免疫阳性细胞数较对照组(OIL组)明显减少(P<0．05),以DG(齿状回DentateGyrus)区的变化最明显；皮层(Conex)的ER—β免疫阳性细胞表达变化不显著。E2+KA组的ER—β免疫阳性细胞与KA组相比减少,(P<0．05)。结论大剂量雌激素下调ER—β免疫阳性细胞的表达,且此作用有区域性。添加雌激素后致癎,ER—β免疫阳性细胞下调更显著,雌激素可能是通过下调DG区ER—β的表达加重癫癎的发作。     

雌激素对海人藻酸致癎大鼠皮层和海马雌激素β受体表达的影响

目的观察添加雌激素后海人藻酸(Kainic acid,KA)致癎大鼠皮层和海马的雌激素β受体(ER-β)的变化.方法用荧光免疫组化法.结果ER-β免疫阳性细胞广泛分布于大鼠的皮层、海马、下丘脑以及杏仁核区域,主要位于细胞核.单纯添加雌激素(17-βestradiol,E2)组、海人藻酸致癎(KA)组、添加雌激素后海人藻酸致癎(E2加KA)组海马的ER-β免疫阳性细胞数较对照组(OIL组)明显减少(P＜0.05),以DG(齿状回,Dentate Gyrus)区的变化最明显;皮层(Cortex)的ER-β免疫阳性细胞表达变化不显著.E2+KA组的ER-β免疫阳性细胞与KA组相比减少,(P＜0 05).结论大剂量雌激素下调ER-β免疫阳性细胞的表达,且此作用有区域性.添加雌激素后致癎,ER-β免疫阳性细胞下调更显著,雌激素可能是通过下调DG区ER-β的表达加重癫癎的发作.     

异欧前胡素对大鼠成骨细胞增殖与分化的影响

背景：植物雌激素有防治绝经后妇女骨质疏松的作用已得到公认,其作用机制之一是促进了成骨细胞的增殖与分化。 目的：观察香豆素类植物雌激素异欧前胡素体外对大鼠成骨细胞增殖与分化的影响。 设计、时间及地点：对比观察实验,于2006-09/2007-12在河北医科大学药学院完成。 材料：出生24 h内SD大鼠,异欧前胡素为中国药品生物制品检定所产品。 方法：采用改良组织块法分离培养新生大鼠颅骨成骨细胞,将异欧前胡素以1×10-5~ 1×10-9 mol/L浓度加入细胞培养体系,以未加入药物为空白对照组。作用24,48,72 h后,以MTT法检测成骨细胞的增殖情况,以对硝基苯二钠基质动力学法测定细胞内碱性磷酸酶的活性,以改良Lowry法测总蛋白水平。 主要观察指标：成骨细胞的增殖率和碱性磷酸酶活性。 结果：大鼠成骨细胞在不同浓度异欧前胡素中培养24 h,未观察到促增殖作用。培养48 h后,开始出现促增殖作用增强,有效浓度为1×10-9~1×10-8 mol/L。培养72 h后,继续有促增殖作用,有效浓度为1×10-8~1×10-7mol/L。大鼠成骨细胞在不同浓度异欧前胡素存在下培养48 h,未观察到促分化作用,培养72 h后,开始出现促分化作用,有效浓度为1×10-6~1× 10-5 mol/L,其他浓度作用不明显。 结论：异欧前胡素体外能促进大鼠成骨细胞的增殖与分化。     

人成骨细胞增殖和分化与生长激素释放肽☆

背景：有研究表明生长激素释放肽对体外培养大鼠成骨细胞增殖有促进作用,但对人成骨细胞增殖和分化是否有影响却少有报道。 目的：探讨生长激素释放肽对人成骨细胞增殖和分化的影响。 方法：取正常成人髂前上棘松质骨,分离出成骨细胞并进行体外培养,应用RT-PCR法检测生长激素促分泌素受体的表达;3H-掺入法检测成骨细胞增殖;Westernblot检测与成骨细胞分化相关的Runx2蛋白表达;α-磷酸奈酚法和放射免疫法观察生长激素释放肽对人成骨细胞分化的影响。 结果与结论：人成骨细胞可表达生长激素促分泌素受体mRNA和生长激素促分泌素受体蛋白。生长激素释放肽促进人成骨细胞增殖(P < 0.05或P < 0.01),且呈剂量依赖性,而且可增加碱性磷酸酶的活性并促进骨钙素的分泌(P < 0.05或P < 0.01),但对人成骨细胞中Runx2蛋白的表达无影响。结果提示,生长激素释放肽能促进人成骨细胞增殖和分化。 关键词：生长激素释放肽;人成骨细胞;细胞增殖;细胞分化;组织构建     

Estrogen receptor beta is expressed in human embryonic brain cells and is regulated by 17beta-estradiol

In order to study estrogen effects on developing human neurons, we have established primary cultures of neurons and glia from 8-13-week human embryo cortex and spinal cord. The neuronal identity of the cultures was verified using the neuronal synaptic vesicle and neuronal endosomal membrane markers synaptotagmin, synapsin and synaptophysin, and the glial contribution to the mixed glial-neuronal cultures was verified using the glial marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). We here report expression of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) in these cells using RT-PCR and sequencing, RNAse protection assay, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. We found that both neuronal and mixed glial-neuronal cultures expressed ERbeta. Treatment with 17beta-estradiol gave an increased expression of ERbeta in both types of cultures. These results suggest that ERbeta is expressed in fetal brain and thus may mediate effects of estrogen in the developing nervous system. Furthermore, the results suggest that expression of ERbeta in fetal brain may be regulated by estrogen.     

Estrogen receptor beta treats Alzheimer’s disease

In vitro studies have shown that estrogen receptor β can attenuate the cytotoxic effect of amyloid β protein on PC12 cells through the Akt pathway without estrogen stimulation. In this study, we aimed to observe the effect of estrogen receptor β in Alzheimer’s disease rat models established by intraventricular injection of amyloid β protein. Estrogen receptor β lentiviral particles delivered via intraventricular injection increased Akt content in the hippocampus, decreased interleukin-1β mRNA, tumor necrosis factor α mRNA and amyloid β protein levels in the hippocampus, and improved the learning and memory capacities in Alzheimer’s disease rats. Estrogen receptor β short hairpin RNA lentiviral particles delivered via intraventricular injection had none of the above impacts on Alzheimer’s disease rats. These experimental findings indicate that estrogen receptor β, independent from estrogen, can reduce inflammatory reactions and amyloid β deposition in the hippocampus of Alzheimer’s disease rats, and improve learning and memory capacities. This effect may be mediated through activation of the Akt pathway.     

Estrogen receptor β expression in the mouse forebrain: Age and sex differences

Estrogen receptors regulate multiple brain functions, including stress, sexual, and memory‐associated behaviors as well as controlling neuroendocrine and autonomic function. During development, estrogen signaling is involved in programming adult sex differences in physiology and behavior. Expression of estrogen receptor α changes across development in a region‐specific fashion. By contrast, estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is expressed in many brain regions, yet few studies have explored sex and developmental differences in its expression, largely because of the absence of selective reagents for anatomical localization of the protein. This study utilized bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic mice expressing ERβ identified by enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to compare expression levels and distribution of ERβ in the male and female mouse forebrain on the day of birth (P0), on postnatal day 4 (P4), and on P21. By using qualitative analysis, we mapped the distribution of ERβ‐EGFP and found developmental alterations in ERβ expression within the cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamic regions including the arcuate, ventromedial, and paraventricular nuclei. We also report a sex difference in ERβ in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, with males showing greater expression at P4 and P21. Another sex difference was found in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus of P21, but not P0 or P4, mice, in which ERβ‐EGFP‐immunoreactive cells were densely clustered near the third ventricle in females but not males. These developmental changes and sex differences in ERβ indicate a mechanism through which estrogens might differentially affect brain functions or program adult physiology at select times during development. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:358–371, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Estrogen receptors in the turtle brain

Estrogen binding activity in the CNS of the freshwater turtle, Chrysemys picta, was investigated using DNA-cellulose affinity chromatography. An estrogen binding component (EBC) with the characteristics of an estrogen receptor species was demonstrated in the brain cytosol extracts from both sexes. This EBC exhibited high affinity (K_d = 10⁻¹⁰M), low capacity (n= 0.8 to 6.0fmol/mg cytosol protein) and binding specificity. The bound estradiol-17β which adhered to DNA-cellulose was sensitive to excess synthetic and natural estrogens (DES, E₂, E₁ and E₃) but not to progesterone and androgens (5α-DHT and T). Specific estradiol-17β binding was not detected in plasma or non-target tissues such as lung, kidney and muscle. The topographic distribution of cytoplasmic EBC was similar in males and females, with binding highest in the hypothalamus-preoptic areas (HPOA) followed by the remaining forebrain (RFB). The mid/hindbrain (HB), consisting of the optic lobes, cerebellum and underlying brain stem had significantly lower concentrations of EBC. Monthly data (from May to October) suggest that variations in EBC concentrations occur during the year.     

Estrogen receptor gene polymorphism in a Chinese population with multiple sclerosis

This study sought to elucidate the role of the PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor gene in 74 Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis, and 95 ethnicity-matched controls, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis. The results revealed that the P allele of PvuII was significantly more prevalent in multiple sclerosis patients compared with controls (P = 0.019). While distribution frequencies were significantly increased in female multiple sclerosis patients compared with female controls (P = 0.044), no significant difference was observed between male patients and controls (P > 0.05). Frequencies of Ppxx genotypes were significantly higher in multiple sclerosis patients compared with controls (24.3% vs. 12.8%, P = 0.025). Genotypes and alleles of the estrogen receptor were not associated with age, number of attacks or expanded disability status scale scores of patients with multiple sclerosis. These findings indicate that the PvuII but not the XbaI polymorphism in the estrogen receptor gene is associated with susceptibility to multiple sclerosis in the Chinese population. In addition, women with P allele appear to be particularly susceptible to multiple sclerosis.     

Relationships among estrogen receptor, oxytocin and vasopressin gene expression and social interaction in male mice

The incidence of social disorders such as autism and schizophrenia is significantly higher in males, and the presentation more severe, than in females. This suggests the possible contribution of sex hormones to the development of these psychiatric disorders. There is also evidence that these disorders are highly heritable. To contribute toward our understanding of the mechanisms underlying social behaviors, particularly social interaction, we assessed the relationship of social interaction with gene expression for two neuropeptides, oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), using adult male mice. Social interaction was positively correlated with: oxytocin receptor (OTR) and vasopressin receptor (V1aR) mRNA expression in the medial amygdala; and OT and AVP mRNA expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). When mice representing extremes of social interaction were compared, all of these mRNAs were more highly expressed in high social interaction mice than in low social interaction mice. OTR and V1aR mRNAs were highly correlated with estrogen receptor α (ERα) mRNA in the medial amygdala, and OT and AVP mRNAs with estrogen receptor β (ERβ) mRNA in the PVN, indicating that OT and AVP systems are tightly regulated by estrogen receptors. A significant difference in the level of ERα mRNA in the medial amygdala between high and low social interaction mice was also observed. These results support the hypothesis that variations of estrogen receptor levels are associated with differences in social interaction through the OT and AVP systems, by upregulating gene expression for those peptides and their receptors.     

Age-related effects of estrogen on the expression of estrogen receptor （ER） α and βmRNA in the ovariectomized （OVX） monkey hypothalamus

In the present study, we reported distribution of ERα and ER β mRNAs in the hypothalamus of young and old ovariectomized （OVX） rhesus macaques. The ERα were detected in all six major vestiblular nuclei which included arcuate nucleus （ARC） , paraventricularis nucleus （PVN） , periventricular nucleus （PeriV） , supraoptic nucleus （SON）, medial prioptic nucleus （MPN） and lateral hypotbalamus area （LHA）. However, the ERβ mRNA can also detected in those nuclei excerpt SON, but the signals of ERβ mRNA were weaker than those of ERα mRNA. We observed that the degree of expression of ERs mRNA were different in most nucleus of old and young monkeys. The ERα mRNAs were highly expressed in ARC and SON in young monkeys compared with old monkeys. Moderate amount of ERα mRNAs hybridization signals and weak signals were observed in LHA, and MPN both in young and old monkeys. In contrast, only lower level of ERα hybridization signal were observed in PVN and PeriV in young monkeys, and the signals of ERα were very low in those nucleus of old monkeys. In general, the expression of ERβ mRNA were weaker than that of ERα mRNA in above nucleus excerpt LHA. The relatively higher density of ERβ hybridization signals have been observed in the LHA in young monkey compared with old monkeys. Low amount of. ERβ mRNA hybridization signals were observed in the ARC, PVN and MPN, and no age differences were seen in PVN and MPN of those monkeys. In PeriV, we observed some signals in young monkey and a few signals in old monkeys. It was different from the rodent in which we did not found ERβ hybridization signal in SON. This study showed that both of the two estrogen receptors not only had the same pattern of expression but also had many different patterns of expression. The different expression of ERα and ERβ mRNAs in the young and old monkey brain may imply diverse functions in different regions of the monkey brain.