Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of menopause (aging and E) on vaginal-cervical epithelial paracellular permeability.
DESIGN
Experimental, basic clinical research.
SETTING
Academic research environment.
PATIENT(S)
Premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women, aged 35-65 years.
INTERVENTION(S)
Primary to tertiary cultures of normal human ectocervical epithelial cells on filters. Cells were outgrown from surgically discarded ectocervical minces.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Changes in paracellular permeability were determined as changes in transepithelial electrical conductance and pyranine permeability.
RESULT(S)
[1] Levels of transepithelial electrical conductance and pyranine permeability decreased as women's age advanced. [2] Removal of E from the culture medium decreased paracellular permeability. Treatment of cells in vitro with 10 nmol/L 17beta-E2 increased transepithelial electrical conductance and pyranine permeability, but the effects were additive to the age-related decrease in permeability. [3] Coadministration of 100 nmol/L tamoxifen blocked the E increase in paracellular permeability in cells of both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
CONCLUSION(S)
[1] Aging and E deficiency decrease independently vaginal-cervical epithelial paracellular permeability. [2] The E increase in vaginal-cervical epithelial paracellular permeability in cells of postmenopausal women is mediated by the E receptor. [3] The E increase in vaginal-cervical epithelial paracellular permeability in cells of postmenopausal women is masked by age-related increase in the tight junctional resistance, leading to overall decrease in paracellular permeability.
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