Differential expression of the receptors for thyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, vitamin D and retinoic acid and extracellular signal-regulated kinase in uterus of rats under influence of sex-steroids

Therapeutic Potential of Berberine for Osteoporosis and its Underlying Mechanisms: A Bioinformatics, Network Pharmacology, Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that can easily lead to bone fractures. Berberine has been shown to be effective in treating osteoporosis. This study was conducted to identify the potential mechanism of berberine in treating this complaint. We screened potential targets of berberine and identified the osteoporosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the microarray dataset GSE56815. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network construction, hub targets identification, and pathway enrichment were carried out to find the potential targets. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies were performed to verify the combination of berberine with its treatment-related central targets. In addition, SwissADME preliminarily evaluated the physicochemical properties of berberine. Through data mining, 23 osteoporosis-related targets of berberine were selected. PPI and module analyses suggested that AKT1, MAPK1, ESR1, AR, TP53, and PTGS2 are the core targets of berberine. Docking and molecular dynamics studies showed that berberine could stably bind to core proteins to form a protein–ligand complex. The enrichment analysis showed that the estrogen signaling pathway and thyroid hormone signaling pathway play important roles in curing osteoporosis. To sum up, berberine primarily acts on AKT1, MAPK1, ESR1, AR, TP53, and PTGS2, mainly regulating the estrogen and thyroid hormone signaling pathways to treat osteoporosis in a multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-system manner.

A New Perspective on Thyroid Hormones: Crosstalk with Reproductive Hormones in Females

Accumulating evidence has shown that thyroid hormones (THs) are vital for female reproductive system homeostasis. THs regulate the reproductive functions through thyroid hormone receptors (THRs)-mediated genomic- and integrin-receptor-associated nongenomic mechanisms, depending on TH ligand status and DNA level, as well as transcription and extra-nuclear signaling transduction activities. These processes involve the binding of THs to intracellular THRs and steroid hormone receptors or membrane receptors and the recruitment of hormone-response elements. In addition, THs and other reproductive hormones can activate common signaling pathways due to their structural similarity and shared DNA consensus sequences among thyroid, peptide, and protein hormones and their receptors, thus constituting a complex and reciprocal interaction network. Moreover, THs not only indirectly affect the synthesis, secretion, and action of reproductive hormones, but are also regulated by these hormones at the same time. This crosstalk may be one of the pivotal factors regulating female reproductive behavior and hormone-related diseases, including tumors. Elucidating the interaction mechanism among the aforementioned hormones will contribute to apprehending the etiology of female reproductive diseases, shedding new light on the treatment of gynecological disorders.

Screen of small fragment mutations within the sheep thyroid stimulating hormone receptor gene associated with litter size

The thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), a glycoprotein hormone receptor, plays an important role in metabolic regulation and photoperiod control in the time of reproduction in birds and mammals. Previous genome-wide association studies revealed that the TSHR gene was related to reproduction and its function was identified in female reproduction, but rare studies reported the polymorphism of TSHR gene. However, the molecular mutations of the TSHR gene in sheep have not been reported so far. Herein, we explored potential polymorphisms of the sheep TSHR gene, and a 29 bp nucleotide sequence variant (rs1089565492) was identified in the AUW sheep. There were three genotypes of the 29 bp variant locus detected which named 'II' 'DD' and 'ID' been identified. Association analysis results showed the 29 bp variant was significantly associated with the litter size of the AUW sheep (p < 0.05). This finding suggests that the 29 bp nucleotide sequence variant within TSHR gene could be a candidate marker of reproduction traits for sheep breeding improving through the marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Marantodes pumilum Var Alata (Kacip Fatimah) ameliorates derangement in RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in the bone of estrogen-deficient female rats with type-2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

M. pumilum has been claimed to protect the bone against the adverse effect of estrogen deficiency. Additionally, it also exhibits anti-diabetic activity. In view of these, this study aims to identify the mechanisms underlying the bone protective effect of M. pumilum in the presence of both estrogen deficiency and diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

Ovariectomized, diabetic female rats were given M. pumilum leave aqueous extract (MPLA) (50 and 100 mg/kg/day), estrogen, glibenclamide and estrogen plus glibenclamide for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin, Ca²⁺, PO₄^3- and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) levels were measured. Rats were sacrificed and femur bones were harvested for determination of expression level and distribution of RANK, RANKL, OPG and oxidative stress and inflammatory proteins by molecular biological techniques.

RESULTS

100 mg/kg/day MPLA treatment decreased the FBG and BALP levels but increased the serum insulin, Ca²⁺ and PO₄^3- levels in estrogen deficient, diabetic rats. Expression and distribution of RANKL, NF-κB p65, IKKβ, IL-6, IL-1β and Keap-1 decreased however expression and distribution of RANK, OPG, BMP-2, Type-1 collagen, Runx2, TRAF6, Nrf2, NQO-1, HO-1, SOD and CAT increased in the bone of estrogen deficient, diabetic rats which received 100 mg/kg/day MPLA with greater effects than estrogen-only, glibenclamide-only and estrogen plus glibenclamide treatments.

CONCLUSION

MPLA helps to overcome the adverse effect of estrogen deficiency and DM on the bone and thus this herb could potentially be used for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with diabetes.

Differential estrogen-related responses in myofiber cross-sectional area of pelvic floor muscles in female rats

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of estrogens in myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA) of the pubococcyegeus (Pcm) and iliococcygeus muscles (Icm).

METHODS

In Experiment 1, we excised the Pcm and Icm during the metestrus and proestrus stages of the estrous cycle to measure the myofiber CSA. In Experiment 2, we allocated other rats into the following groups: sham (Sh), ovariectomized (OVX), OVX plus 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione (ATD; OVX + ATD), an aromatase inhibitor, and OVX plus estradiol benzoate (OVX + EB). We carried out appropriate statistical tests to determine significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in variables measured for both Experiments.

RESULTS

The Pcm myofiber CSA at proestrus was higher than at metestrus, while the Icm myofiber CSA did not change. Ovariectomy increased the Pcm myofiber CSA, which was exacerbated with the ATD administration. The EB supplementation successfully reversed the ovariectomy-induced enlargement of the CSA. No significant changes were detected for the Icm myofiber CSA.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluctuating ovarian steroid levels at the estrus cycle significantly influence the CSA myofiber of the Pcm but not that of the Icm. Estrogen actions, having a gonadal or extragonadal origin, influence importantly the CSA of the Pcm.

Network pharmacology-based investigation on the mechanisms of action of Morinda officinalis How. in the treatment of osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that leads to a high risk for bone fractures. Morinda officinalis How. has been used as osteoporosis treatment in China. However, its mechanism of action as an anti-osteoporotic herb remains unknown.

METHODS

A network pharmacology approach was applied to explore the potential mechanisms of action of M. officinalis in osteoporosis treatment. The active compounds of M. officinalis and their potential osteoporosis-related targets were retrieved from TCMSP, TCMID, SwissTargetPrediction, DrugBank, DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD databases. A protein-protein interaction network was built to analyze the target interactions. The Metascape database was used to carry out GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis. Moreover, interactions between active compounds and potential targets were investigated through molecular docking.

RESULTS

A total of 17 active compounds and 93 anti-osteoporosis targets of M. officinalis were selected for analysis. The GO enrichment analysis results indicated that the anti-osteoporosis targets of M. officinalis mainly play a role in the response to steroid hormone. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that M. officinalis prevents osteoporosis through the ovarian steroidogenesis signaling pathway. Moreover, the molecular docking results indicated that bioactive compounds (morindon, ohioensin A, and physcion) demonstrated a good binding ability with IGF1R, INSR, ESR1, and MMP9.

CONCLUSION

M. officinalis contains potential anti-osteoporotic active compounds. These compounds function by regulating the proteins implicated in ovarian steroidogenesis-related pathways that are crucial in estrogen biosynthesis. Our study provides new insights into the development of a natural therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Morphological spectrum of endometrium with thyroid hormone profile in infertile female population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan

Objectives:

To study the morphological spectrum of endometrial changes with the thyroid hormone levels in infertile women.

Methods:

This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Pathology, Peshawar Medical College, Health Care Centre and Madina Medical Laboratory, Peshawar from April 2013 to August 2013. Total 160 cases of infertile women were included in the study. Biopsies were taken on 22-23rd day of menstrual cycle. Statistical Analysis was performed using SPSS version 19 statistical program. Difference between endometrial findings of patients with normal thyroid profile and abnormal one were analyzed for statistical significance using Chi square test. Probability values p ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

In our study, majority infertile women were euthyroid (80%), followed by hyperthyroid (18%) and only two% to be hypothyroid. The correlation of endometrial morphology with thyroid hormones levels turned out to be insignificant. While correlating histological details of endometrial biopsy with thyroid hormone status, we found significant association of leukocytic infiltrate with thyroid hormone levels.

Conclusion:

This study shows that thyroid hormones may have role in early leukocytic infiltration into stroma, and a possibility of immune modulation by altered thyroid hormones in causing infertility.

Characterization of VDR and CYP27B1 expression in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle before embryo transfer: implications for endometrial receptivity

BACKGROUND

Molecular analyses of vitamin D in a typical cycling endometrium has received minimal research attention in the reproductive field. This study was designed to assess how expression of the endometrial vitamin D receptor (VDR) and CYP27B1, a vitamin D metabolizing enzyme, change during the menstrual cycle in women of reproductive age. In addition, this study explores the association between expression of vitamin D-VDR system and endometrial receptivity during the implantation window.

METHODS

Sixteen patients underwent standardized in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and freeze-all techniques. Before embryo transfer, total serum 25(OH) D levels were determined through blood samples and VDR, CYP27B1, HOXA10, and CYP19 expression were determined through endometrial samples. Endometrial receptivity was also assessed using an electron microscope.

RESULTS

We found that VDR protein expression was significantly lower throughout the endometrial secretory phase compared to the proliferative phase, while CYP27B1 expression remained constant during the menstrual cycle. During the implantation window, ultrastructural evaluation showed that higher serum vitamin D levels were associated with more mature pinopodes; VDR and HOXA10 protein expression were substantially elevated in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women; and VDR protein levels were positively correlated with HOXA10 levels. In addition, serum vitamin D levels were positively correlated with VDR and HOXA10 protein levels in the endometrium.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with increased VDR expression in the endometrium, especially during the implantation window of the menstrual cycle, were significantly more likely to be pregnant than women with decreased expression. Our results support the hypothesis that the Vitamin D-VDR system performs a role during the development of endometrial receptivity.

Hypothyroidism induces uterine hyperplasia and inflammation related to sex hormone receptors expression in virgin rabbits

AIMS

In women, uterine alterations have been associated with sex steroid hormones. Sex hormones regulate the expression of thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) in the uterus, but an inverse link is unknown. We analyzed the impact of hypothyroidism on histological characteristics, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), progesterone receptors (PR), estrogen receptors (ER), thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), perilipin (PLIN-A), and lipid content in the uterus of virgin rabbits.

MAIN METHODS

Twelve Chinchilla-breed adult female rabbits were grouped into control (n = 6) and hypothyroid (n = 6; 0.02% of methimazole for 30 days). The thickness of endometrium and myometrium, number of uterine glands, and infiltration of immune cells were analyzed. The expression of VEGF-A, PR, ERα, and PLIN-A was determined by RT-PCR and western blot. The uterine content of triglycerides (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) was quantified.

KEY FINDINGS

Hypothyroidism promoted uterine hyperplasia and a high infiltration of immune cells into the endometrium, including macrophages CD163+. It also increased the expression of VEGF-A, TRA, and ERα-66 but reduced that of PR and ERα-46. The uterine content of PLIN-A, TAG, and TC was reduced, but that of MDA was augmented in hypothyroid rabbits.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our results suggest that uterine hyperplasia and inflammation promoted by hypothyroidism should be related to changes in the VEGF-A, PR, ER, and TRs expression, as well as to modifications in the PLIN-A expression, lipid content, and oxidative status. These results suggest that hypothyroidism should affect the fertility of females.

Expression of proteins related to thyroid hormone function in the uterus is down-regulated at the day of implantation in hypothyroid pregnant rats

Hypothyroidism has been linked to infertility, but the mechanisms underlying infertility-related hypothyroidism have yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, in this study, effects of hypothyroidism on expression of the proteins related to thyroid hormone function in the uterus, which were thought to play a role implantation, including thyroid hormone receptor (TR), thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and extracellular kinase (ERK) were identified. Pregnant female rats were rendered hypothyroid by giving methimazole (MMI), orally. Following hypothyroid induction, rats were grouped into control (non-treated) and received subcutaneous thyroxine at 20, 40, and 80 μg/kg/day for five consecutive days. At Day 6, which is the day of implantation (GD 6), rats were sacrificed and the number of embryo implantation site in the uterus was calculated. Then, uterine horns were harvested and expression of the above proteins and their mRNAs were identified by Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. In non-treated hypothyroid pregnant rats, the number of embryo implantation sites decreased as compared to euthyroid and hypothyroid rats receiving thyroxine treatment. Similarly, expression of TRα-1, TRβ-1, TSHR, ERK1/2 and RAR proteins and mRNA in the uterus of non-treated hypothyroid rats also decreased (P < 0.05 when compared to euthyroid and thyroxine-treated hypothyroid rats). In conclusion, downregulated expression of the thyroid hormone related proteins in the uterus at the day of implantation might result in infertility as reported in hypothyroid condition.

Expression of vitamin D receptor in the porcine uterus and effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on progesterone and estradiol-17β secretion by uterine tissues in vitro

Vitamin D₃ acting via its nuclear receptor (VDR) was shown to target many reproductive tissues and regulate their function. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of vitamin D₃ and VDR in the uterus. We hypothesized that VDR expression profile varies in the porcine uterus throughout the course of the estrous cycle, and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ influences uterine steroidogenic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate VDR mRNA expression, VDR protein abundance and immunolocalization in the porcine endometrium and myometrium harvested on Days 2-5, 12-13, 15-16 and 18-20 of the estrous cycle. Additionally, in studied pigs, 25OHD concentration in plasma and uterine flushings was determined by RIA. The effect of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (10, 50 and 100 ng/mL) in vitro on progesterone (P₄) and estradiol-17β (E₂) release by endometrial and myometrial slices obtained on Days 12-13 of the estrous cycle was also examined. Nuclear VDR immunostaining was found in endometrial (luminal and glandular epithelium, stromal cells) and myometrial cells throughout examined days of the estrous cycle. In the endometrium, the highest VDR mRNA expression was observed on Days 12-13 and 18-20, whereas the greatest VDR protein abundance was noted only on Days 12-13 of the estrous cycle. In the myometrium, either VDR transcript or protein level was the greatest on Days 12-13. Interestingly, the highest 25OHD concentration in plasma and uterine flushings was shown also on Days 12-13 of the estrous cycle. 1,25(OH)₂D₃ did not affect P₄ release by uterine slices while myometrial release of E₂ was significantly increased in response to 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (10 and 50 ng/mL). Overall, obtained results indicate that porcine uterus is a target tissue for vitamin D₃ throughout the entire estrous cycle. VDR mRNA expression and protein abundance altered within uterine tissues depending on studied days of the estrous cycle with the greatest protein abundance during mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle in both uterine tissues. In addition, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ significantly increased myometrial release of E₂ on Days 12-13 of the estrous cycle. These results suggest the role of vitamin D₃-VDR system in the uterus, especially as a regulator of myometrial estrogenic activity in pigs during mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle.

Testosterone enhances expression and functional activity of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) and sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHE) in vas deferens of sex-steroid deficient male rats

Effects of testosterone on expression and functional activity of ENaC, CFTR and NHE in vas deferens were investigated.

METHODS

Orchidectomized, adult male rats were given 125 and 250 μg/kg/day testosterone subcutaneously, with or without flutamide and finasteride for seven consecutive days. At the end of the treatment, rats were anesthetized and vas deferens were perfused. Changes in vas deferens fluid secretion rate, pH, HCO₃^-, Cl^- and Na⁺ concentrations were recorded in the presence of amiloride and Cftr inh-172. Rats were then sacrificed and vas deferens were harvested and subjected for molecular biological analysis.

RESULTS

Testosterone treatment caused the fluid pH and HCO₃^- concentrations to decrease but secretion rate, Cl^- and Na⁺ concentrations to increase, where upon amiloride administration, the pH and HCO₃^- concentration increased but Cl^- and Na⁺ concentrations further increased. In testosterone-treated rats, administration of Cftr inh-172 caused all fluid parameters to decrease. In testosterone-treated rats co-administered with flutamide or finasteride, pH and HCO₃^- concentration increased but fluid secretion rate, Cl^- and Na⁺ concentrations decreased and these parameters were not affected by amiloride or Cftr inh-172 administration. Under testosterone influence, CFTR and γ-ENaC were highly expressed at the apical membrane while NHE-1 and 4 were highly expressed at the basolateral membrane of vas deferens epithelium. Meanwhile, NHE-2 and 3 were highly expressed at the apical membrane.

CONCLUSIONS

Differential expression of ENaC, CFTR and NHE in vas deferens under testosterone influence indicated the important role of these transporters in creating optimal fluid microenvironment that is essential for preserving male fertility.