Effect of ethanol on uterotropic action of estrogens

Female rats aging 3 months at the beginning of experiments received 5 or 15% ethanol and then were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy 2 weeks before end of the experiment. During the last 11 days they were daily injected intramuscularly with 2 μg estradiol. Drinking of 5% ethanol combined with injections of estrogens induced DNA damage in the uterus detected by comet assay and abolished induction of progesterone receptors, changes in peroxidase activity, proliferation index, endometrium thickness, and other indices reflecting the hormonal effect of estradiol on the uterus. Drinking of 15% ethanol was accompanied by an increase in DNA-damaging effects of estrogens and a decrease in their hormonal uterotropic effects. It is concluded that unlike tobacco smoking, drinking of moderate ethanol concentrations modifies primarily genotoxic, but not the hormonal effect of estrogens. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 10, pp. 426–428, October, 2000     

Comparative analysis of progesterone and estradiol reception in human myoma

Cytosolic and plasma membrane receptors for progesterone and estradiol are studied in myomatous nodes (MN) and in histologically unaltered myometrium (HUM) against the background of myoma. The level of cytosolic receptors for both hormones is higher in the myoma cells than in the essentially healthy myometrium. In the plasma membranes the progresterone reception is reduced and the estradiol reception is unchanged compared with HUM. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 7, pp. 33–34, July, 1994     

Effects of hormones on phospholipase A2 activity in rat skin

We studied the effects of hydrocortisone, progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone on phospholipase A₂ activity in plasma and lysosomal membranes of rat dermis and epidermis. The dermal enzyme was more sensitive to estradiol, while epidermal to testosterone. The effects of progesterone and hydrocortisone were mediated by lipocortin-like protein, while estradiol and testosterone directly by modulated phospholipase A₂ activity Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 1, pp. 70–72, January, 2000     

Relationship between tobacco smoke and uterotropic effect of estrogen

Female rats aged 3.–3.5 months were daily exposed for 2 h to 2.25% tobacco smoke in a 20-liter chamber for 3 weeks. A week after the beginning of the experiments, all rats were subjected to bilateral oophorectomy. Some of them were injected with estradiol in a daily dose of 2 μg or diethylstilbestrol in a daily dose of 1 μg for 10 days. Tobacco smoke exposure led to an increase in the uterus weight in oophorectomized rats, and combined exposure to tobacco smoke and estrogens resulted in an increase in the proportion of intact (twisted) DNA in the uterus. These results can be explained by a relatively short term of tobacco smoke exposure (stimulation stage). Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 9, pp. 331–333, September, 1997     

Cytokine therapy of experimental purulent wounds

The effect of naturally occurring cytokine complex on aseptic and purulent wounds is examined in guinea pigs. Healing of aseptic wounds treated with the complex is 1.4 times faster than in the control: the rate of wound contraction reaches the maximum after 5–6 daysvs. 10–11 days in the control. Healing of these wounds occurs without pronounced inflammatory processes. Healing, epithelization, and wound cleansing are significantly faster in cytokine treated wounds than in the control. Histological analysis reveals formation of delicate cicatrices in cytokine-treated wounds, while rough cicatrices are observed in the control. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 6, pp. 680–683, June, 1997     

Contribution of the reproductive hormones to the regulation of prostaglandin F2α production by immunocompetent cells

The ability of estradiol, progesterone, and chorionic gonadotropin to influence prostaglandin F_2α production by intact splenocytes of CBA mice was studied. Estradiol and progesterone similarly activated the processes of prostaglandin F_2α production. No relationship was revealed between the effect and the concentration of the hormones. Chorionic gonadotropin activated prostaglandin production by immunocompetent cells but only when used in a concentration reflecting the peak of its physiological secretion. Combining gonadotropin with estradiol or progesterone did not lead to any appreciable differences in the prostaglandin-stimulating action of each hormone alone. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 8, pp. 178–180, August, 1995 Presented by K. P. Kashkin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Maternal serum progesterone,estradiol and estriol levels in successful dinoprostone-induced labor

Hormone-mediated quiescence involves the maintenance of a decreased inflammatory responsiveness. However, no study has investigated whether labor induction with prostanoids is associated with changes in the levels of maternal serum hormones. The objective of this study was to determine whether labor induction with dinoprostone is associated with changes in maternal serum progesterone, estradiol, and estriol levels. Blood samples were obtained from 81 pregnant women at term. Sixteen patients had vaginal birth after spontaneous labor, 12 required cesarean section after spontaneous labor and 16 underwent elective cesarean. Thirty-seven patients had labor induction with dinoprostone. Eligible patients received a vaginal insert of dinoprostone (10 mg) and were followed until delivery. Serum progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) levels and changes in P4/E2, P4/E3 and E3/E2 ratios were monitored from admission to immediately before birth, and the association of these measures with the resulting clinical classification outcome (route of delivery and induction responsiveness) was assessed. Progesterone levels decreased from admission to birth in patients who underwent successful labor induction with dinoprostone [vaginal and cesarean birth after induced labor: 23% (P < 0.001) and 18% (P < 0.025) decrease, respectively], but not in those whose induction failed (6.4% decrease, P > 0.05). Estriol and estradiol levels, P4/E2, P4/E3 and E3/E2 ratios did not differ between groups. Successful dinoprostone-induced labor was associated with reduced maternal progesterone levels from induction to birth. While a causal relationship between progesterone decrease and effective dinoprostone-induced labor cannot be established, it is tempting to propose that dinoprostone may contribute to progesterone withdrawal and favor labor induction in humans.     

Interaction between 16α,17α-cyclopropane progesterone and progesterone receptors in rat uterus

Binding of³H-16α, 17α-cyclopropanoprogesterone (CPG) and³H-progesterone (PG) to progesterone receptors in soluble fraction of rat uterus is studied. It is shown that CPG and PG specifically bind to the protein with similar affinity and binding capacity. Unlabeled PG competitively inhibits the binding of CPG, and unlabeled CPG competitively inhibits the binding of PF with the same efficiency. Dissociation of CPG- and PG-receptor complexes is characterized by the same dissociation constant. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 5, pp. 532–534, May, 1998     

Effects of sex steroid hormones on lipid peroxidation and glutathione antioxidant system in rat skin

Effects of estradiol and testosterone on the intensity of lipid peroxidation and contents of glutathione redox system components in the dermis and epidermis of rat skin were studied. Only estradiol induced considerable dose-dependent and tissue-specific biphasic antioxidant effects on the skin. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 12, pp. 663–666, December, 1999     

A water-soluble form of estradiol with estrogenic and cardiotropic activity

It is demonstrated that a water-soluble form of estradiol (disodium salt of estradiol diphosphate), apart from having an estrogenic influence on the uterus, is effective against severe blood loss and has a cardiotropic actiity. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 1, pp. 51–53, January, 1995 Presented by P. V. Sergeev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Expression and regulation of the fatty acid amide hydrolase gene in the rat uterus during the estrous cycle and peri-implantation period

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is involved in embryo development and implantation. Sex hormones down-modulate FAAH activity in the mouse uterus. However, the regulation of the FAAH gene in the uterus is unknown. Our results showed that FAAH mRNA is localized to uterine epithelial cells and circular myometrium during the estrous cycle. In ovariectomized rats, estradiol (E2) plus progesterone (P4) increased FAAH levels in both epithelial cells and circular myometrium. Interestingly, during the implantation period, FAAH mRNA was detected not only in epithelial cells and circular myometrium, but also in the primary decidual zone surrounding the implanting embryo on day 6 and in whole decidualized stromal cells on day 7. Its levels in the stromal cells were markedly higher at the implantation sites than at the inter-implantation sites on days 6 and 7. When implantation was delayed and then induced by E2 or E2 plus P4, FAAH mRNA levels were significantly increased in subepithelial stromal cells and circular myometrium, indicating that blastocyst activation and initiation of implantation in rats requires higher expression of the FAAH gene in subepithelial stromal cells and circular myometrium. In conclusion, the expression of FAAH mRNA is different in the non-pregnant and pregnant rat uterus and sex hormones up-regulate FAAH gene expression.     

Postpartum regeneration of the guinea pig endometrium: relationship to serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations

The pattern of cell mitotic activity in the uterus of postpartum, pregnant guinea pigs was correlated with the associated changes in serum progesterone and estradiol levels between days 1-8 of pregnancy. Stromal and glandular epithelial mitotic patterns mimicked the associated fluctuations in serum progesterone and estradiol levels, respectively. No changes in myometrial mitotic activity were observed. The luminal epithelial mitotic index was apparently sensitive to the relative change in the ratio of progesterone-to-estradiol in circulation. These studies indicate that postpartum, endometrial preparation for blastocyst implantation depends on the proper priming of the uterus by both progesterone and estradiol in the guinea pig.     

Comparative study of cardioprotective and antiradical activity of estrogens and their nitro derivatives

Cardioprotective and antiradical activities of estrogens and their nitro derivatives are compared. Antiradical activity was observed in estradiol, ethanol estradiol, and estradiol nitrate, but not in nystranol, which exhibited antiradical properties only after acid hydrolysis. The data obtained on hearts from rats with experimental myocardial infarction show that estrogens and their nitro derivatives restrict the area of myocardial infarction due to antiischemic and/or antinecrotic activities. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 10, pp. 408–410, October, 1999     

Impact of 8-isoestrone analogs on estradiol binding in uterine tissue from ovariectomized rats

8-Isoanalogs of estrone were studied for their ability to influence estradiol binding in the cytosolic fraction of uterine tissue from ovariectomized rats and for their uterotropic activity 24 h after injection into such rats. Two groups of estrone 8-isoanalogs with opposite biological effects were identified: those increasing estradiol binding in the cytosolic fraction of uterine tissue and those decreasing this binding. Uterogenic activity was exhibited by all of the compounds tested, with the exception of compound I. No correlation was found between the uterogenic activity of the isoanalogs and hormone-receptor interactions. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 2, pp. 165–167, February, 1995     

Epidermal growth factor receptors in endometrial adenomatosis

The expression of the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) and of progesterone and estrogen receptors (PR and ER, respectively) was studied in 31 women of a reproductive age with endometrial adenomatosis. The receptor phenotype EGFR+PR-ER-, indicating mainly local regulation of the proliferative processes, was detected in adenomatous endometrium three times more often than in normal endometrium. The metabolic endocrine disorders were less frequent in patients with endometrial adenomatosis with EGFR, but the disease ran a more severe course in these patients, which was proven by more numerous diagnostic scrapings performed within the same period. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 1, pp. 45–49, January, 1999     

Effect of electroacupuncture on systemic hemodynamics in rats with postinfarction cardiosclerosis

Electroacupuncture decreased total peripheral vascular resistance and increased cardiac output in 12-week-old postinfarction rats without cardiac insufficiency, while opposite changes were observed in rats with cardiac insufficiency. After the electroacupuncture course, norepinephrine decreased cardiac output in the rats with cardiac insufficiency, while acetylcholine increased it to a much higher extent than in the control rats that were not subjected to physiotherapy. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 1, pp. 29–34, January, 1999     

Progesterone,oestradiol and oxytocin and their in vitro effect on maintaining the number of gap junction plaques in human myometrium at term

Previous studies by electron microscopy and laser confocal microscopy of immuno-histochemically stained sections have shown that during pregnancy the extent of gap junction formation in human myometrium is low, but that an increase occurs in the active stages of labour despite a high concentration of progesterone in maternal blood. The present investigation focused on the effect of in vitro exposure of isolated myometrical tissue to progesterone, oestradiol and oxytocin, on the number of gap junction plaques in human myometrium at term. Myometrial biopsies were obtained at term from 13 pregnant women who had an elective caesarean section in the 37th or 40th week of pregnancy. The biopsies were immersed immediately in Hepes buffer and buffer containing 0.5, 5.0 μg mL^-1 of progesterone, and 0.1 μg mL^-1 of oestradiol. The muscle biopsies were trimmed under a stereo microscope into strips along the bundles of smooth muscle cells and mounted in tissue baths, superfused with Hepes buffer supplemented with glucose (0.01 mm ); subsequently the strips were exposed to buffer containing different concentrations of progesterone, oestradiol and oxytocin. Incubation of the muscle strips for 180 min resulted in a significant decrease of the number of gap junctions (P <0.01). Neither oestradiol or oxytocin, alone or in combination, had a significant effect on the maintenance of the number of gap junctions. The progesterone concentration of 5.0 μg mL^-1, combined with oxytocin, and with or without oestradiol had a significantly positive effect on the number of gap junction plaques in strips of human myometrium at term (P<0.05 vs. buffer alone). The high concentration of progesterone in the superfusion medium during in vitro experiments may be responsible for the maintenance of high numbers of gap junction complexes in term human myometrium. This finding is of interest in the light of findings of persisting high progesterone levels in maternal blood during labour.     

Effect of decapeptyl (D-TrpG GnPh) on estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and tissue levels of estrogens (non-conjugated and sulfate-conjugated) in patients with uterine myoma

Concentrations of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, unconjugated estrogens (estradiol and estrone) and sulfate-conjugated estrogens (estradiol sulfate and estrone sulfate) were determined in patients treated with Decapeptyl and in controls. After prolonged Decapeptyl therapy, a highly significant fall in progesterone receptors was evidenced; estrogen receptors were found to be decreased in the myoma as compared with the secretory phase in controls and in the myometrium as compared with the proliferative phase in controls. Tissue levels of estrone sulfate and estradiol sulfate decreased very substantially. In conclusion, Decapeptyl emerges as a very promising agent for the treatment of uterine myomas.     

Enzymes of estrogen metabolism in endometrial cancer

Activities of estrogen metabolism enzymes (aromatase, 2-and 4-estrogen hydroxylases, catechol-O-methyltransferase, and glutathione transferase) were studied by modern biochemical methods in tumors of patients with endometrial cancer. Relationships between enzyme activities and body weight index, age of menarche, stage of the disease, tumor histotype, differentiation degree, and depth of invasion into the myometrium were detected. The detected relationships between enzyme activities and serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone and level of estrogen receptors in tumor tissue attest to hormone dependence of aromatase, estrogen hydroxylases, and glutathione transferase. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 2, pp. 202–204, February, 2006     

Two mechanisms of progesterone action on the skin (Results of biochemical analysis)

Effects of progesterone on functional activity of lysosomes and lipid peroxidation are measured in the skin of rats in relation to its dose, duration of exposure to it, and skin tissue type (epidermis and dermis). This hormone is shown to regulate both lipid peroxidation intensity and lysosomal activity. It is concluded that these two affects represent two mechanisms through which progesterone exerts its anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 8, pp. 173–176, August, 1996