Morphological and enzymatic changes caused by a long-term treatment of female rats with a low dose of gonadoliberin agonist and antagonist

Knockdown of Hepatic Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone by Vivo-Morpholino Decreases Liver Fibrosis in Multidrug Resistance Gene 2 Knockout Mice by Down-Regulation of miR-200b

Hepatic fibrosis occurs during the progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and is characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Proliferating cholangiocytes and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) participate in the promotion of liver fibrosis during cholestasis. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a trophic peptide hormone synthesized by hypothalamic neurons and the biliary epithelium and exerts its biological effects on cholangiocytes by interaction with the receptor subtype (GnRHR1) expressed by cholangiocytes and HSCs. Previously, we demonstrated that administration of GnRH to normal rats increased intrahepatic biliary mass (IBDM) and hepatic fibrosis. Also, miR-200b is associated with the progression of hepatic fibrosis; however, the role of the GnRH/GnRHR1/miR-200b axis in the development of hepatic fibrosis in PSC is unknown. Herein, using the mouse model of PSC (multidrug resistance gene 2 knockout), the hepatic knockdown of GnRH decreased IBDM and liver fibrosis. In vivo and in vitro administration of GnRH increased the expression of miR-200b and fibrosis markers. The GnRH/GnRHR1 axis and miR-200b were up-regulated in human PSC samples. Cetrorelix, a GnRHR1 antagonist, inhibited the expression of fibrotic genes in vitro and decreased IBDM and hepatic fibrosis in vivo. Inhibition of miR-200b decreased the expression of fibrosis genes in vitro in cholangiocyte and HSC lines. Targeting the GnRH/GnRHR1/miR-200b axis may be key for the management of hepatic fibrosis during the progression of PSC.

Triptorelin and cetrorelix induce immune responses and affect uterine development and expressions of genes and proteins of ESR1, LHR, and FSHR of mice

CONTEXT

GnRH immunity can reduce the expression of pituitary GnRH levels, and cause the changes in reproductive behaviors. It is unclear whether triptorelin (TRI) and cetrorelix (CET) immunity influences uterine development and expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and estradiol receptor 1 (ERS1) in the uterus.

OBJECTIVE

The study investigated the effects of active immunity of GnRH agonist and antagonist on uterine development, microstructures, expression of hormone receptors mRNAs, and proteins in uteri.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and five mice were assigned into CET, TRI, and control groups (CG). Mice in CET-1, CET-2, and CET-3 (n = 15) were subcutaneously injected with 10, 20, and 40 μg CET antigens for seven days, respectively. Mice in TRI-1, TRI-2, and TRI-3 were injected with 10, 20, and 40 μg TRI antigens for seven days, respectively. The qPCR and Western blot were implemented to determine expressions of ESR1, LHR and FSHR mRNAs, and proteins.

RESULTS

Compared with CG, the uterine weights of CET-1, CET-2, and CET-3 increased by 42.86, 62.86, and 10.00% on day 35 (p < 0.05), respectively. Uterine weights of TRI-2, TRI-3 reduced by 28.57% and 11.43% (p < 0.05), respectively. The uterine cavity in CET-1, CET-2, and CET-3 increased; the uterine wall became thick. The cytoplasm of endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) increased slightly. In TRI group, the uterine wall thinned. Uterine cavity became narrow slightly in TRI-1. Numbers of uterine glands reduced. The endometrium epithelial thickness (EET) in CET-1 and CET-2 increased by 68.21% and 79.46% (p < 0.05), respectively. EET in TRI-1 was decreased by 13.69%. Uterine wall thicknesses (UWT) in CET-1 and CET-2 were higher than CG, with the increment of 28.59% and 30.72%. UWT of TRI-1, TRI-2, and TRI-3 reduced by 29.35, 15.36, and 14.41%, respectively. Expressions of ESR1, FSHR, and LHR mRNAs in CET and TRI mice increased. ESR1 and FSHR protein levels increased in all experimental mice (p < 0.05), with a maximum of TRI-3. LHR protein levels of the CET decreased. LHR protein levels of TRI group increased, with a maximum of TRI-3 (p < 0.05). ESR1 protein level had significant negative correlations to mRNA expressions of ESR1, LHR, and FSHR.

CONCLUSIONS

CET immunity promoted the uterine development, improved EET and UWT, and also promoted the expressions of ESR1 and FSHR protein levels. It lessened the LHR protein levels. TRI immunity blocked EET and UWT, inhibited uterine growth and development. The efficacy of CET immunity was more obvious than TRI.