Estrogen changes mitosis orientation in the uterine epithelia

Mitosis orientation in prostate epithelial cells changed by endocrine effect

AIM

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of androgen and estrogen on mitosis orientation in the prostate epithelial cells of male rats.

METHODS

Castrated rats were treated with a single injection of testosterone propionate (TP) or benzogynestry (E2). There were 8 rats in the control group and TP-treated or E2-treated group. Prostate, liver, a specimen of skin, and a segment of the jejunum and colon were removed after the corresponding treatment. The results were observed through immunohistochemistry and iron hematoxylin-eosin staining.

RESULTS

All mitoses found in the prostate epithelial cells of castrated rats with TP were oriented parallel to the basement membrane; however, mitoses found in the prostate epithelial cells of castrated rats in E2 and the control group were oriented perpendicular to the basement membrane. TP treatment resulted in marked changes in mitosis orientation in the prostate epithelial cells. Bromodeoxyuridine-labeled positive cells could be seen throughout the stroma and prostate epithelial cells with an injection of TP; however, the positive cells could only be seen in the stroma of prostate with an injection of E2, and the positive cells could hardly be seen in the control group.

CONCLUSION

We found a novel effect of TP in the prostate as a marked change of mitosis orientation in prostate epithelial cells.

Expression of estrogen receptor-alpha, glucocorticoid receptor, beta-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in the uterus of mice following long-term treatment with estrogen and glucocorticoid hormones

BACKGROUND

It has been shown that long-term glucocporticoid administration to chronically estradiol-treated mice decreases uterine weight, proliferation in all uterine tissues, the number of perpendicularly oriented mitoses in uterine epithelia and the incidence of atypical endometrial hyperplasia. However, mechanisms of chronic glucocorticoid action on estrogen-dependent processes in the uterus are unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Results of present research showed that adding of glucocorticoid dexamethasone (in drinking water, 2mg/l) to estradiol-treated mice led to a decrease in the level of glucocorticoid receptor, to an increase in levels of estrogen receptor-alpha, beta-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in uterine tissues of ovariectomized mice at 30, 60 and 90 days of the treatment. When vehicle was used instead estradiol, dexamethasone did not produce detectable changes in all parameters tested at all periods of observation.

CONCLUSION

Results allow to conclude that estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors, beta-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta are involved in estrogen-dependent changes in uterine morphology and hyperplasia formation.