Adjuvant tamoxifen switched to exemestane treatment in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer:A pragmatic,multicenter,and prospective clinical trial in China

Objective:This post-approval safety study assessed the efficacy and safety of exemestane after 2-3 years of tamoxifen treatment among postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive(ER+)early breast cancer in China.Methods:Enrolled patients had received 2-3 years of tamoxifen and were then switched to exemestane for completion of 5 consecutive years of adjuvant endocrine therapy.The primary endpoint was the time from enrollment to the first occurrence of locoregional/distant recurrence of the primary breast cancer,appearance of a second primary or contralateral breast cancer,or death due to any cause.Other endpoints included the proportion of patients experiencing each event,incidence rate per annum,relationships between human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status and time to event,and relationship between disease history variables and time to event.Results:Overall,558 patients were included in the full analysis set:397(71.1%)completed the study,20experienced an event,and 141 discontinued[47 owing to an adverse event(AE);37 no longer willing to participate].Median duration of treatment was 29.5(range,0.1-57.7)months.Median time to event was not reached.Eventfree survival probability at 36 months was 91.4%(95%CI,87.7%-95.1%).The event incidence over the total exposure time of exemestane therapy was 3.5 events/100 person-years(20/565).Multivariate analysis showed an association between tumor,lymph node,and metastasis stage at initial diagnosis and time to event[hazard ratio:1.532(95%CI,1.129-2.080);P=0.006].Most AEs were grade 1 or 2 in severity,with arthralgia(7.7%)being the most common treatment-related AE.Conclusions:This study supports the efficacy and safety of exemestane in postmenopausal Chinese women with ER+breast cancer previously treated with adjuvant tamoxifen for 2-3 years.No new safety signals were identified in the Chinese population.

Current medical treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Approximately 80% of breast cancers(BC) are estrogen receptor(ER)-positive and thus endocrine therapy(ET) should be considered complementary to surgery in the majority of patients. The advantages of oophorectomy, adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy in women with advanced BC have been demonstrated many years ago, and currently ET consist of(1) ovarian function suppression(OFS), usually obtained using gonadotropinreleasing hormone agonists(Gn RHa);(2) selective estrogen receptor modulators or down-regulators(SERMs or SERDs); and(3) aromatase inhibitors(AIs), or a combination of two or more drugs. For patients aged less than 50 years and ER+ BC, there is no conclusive evidence that the combination of OFS and SERMs(i.e., tamoxifen) or chemotherapy is superior to OFS alone. Tamoxifen users exhibit a reduced risk of BC, both invasive and in situ, especially during the first 5 years of therapy, and extending the treatment to 10 years further reduced the risk of recurrences. SERDs(i.e., fulvestrant) are especially useful in the neoadjuvant treatment of advanced BC, alone or in combination with either cytotoxic agents or AIs. There are two types of AIs: type Ⅰ are permanent steroidal inhibitors of aromatase, while type Ⅱ are reversible nonsteroidal inhibitors. Several studies demonstrated the superiority of the third-generation AIs(i.e., anastrozole and letrozole) compared with tamoxifen, and adjuvant therapy with AIs reduces the recurrence risk especially in patients with advanced BC. Unfortunately, some cancers are or became ET-resistant, and thus other drugs have been suggested in combination with SERMs or AIs, including cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors(palbociclib) and mammalian target of rapamycin(m TOR) inhibitors, such as everolimus. Further studies are required to confirm their real usefulness.

Tumor biology in estrogen receptor-positive,human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2-negative breast cancer:Mind the menopausal status

Breast cancer is not one disease,but can be categorized into four major molecular subtypes according to hormone receptor [estrogen receptor(ER) and progesterone receptor(Pg R)] and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2(HER2) expression status. Ki67 labeling index and/or multigene assays are used to classify ERpositive,HER2-negative breast cancer into luminal A and luminal B(HER2-negative) subtypes. To date,most studies analyzing predictive or prognostic factors in ER-positive breast cancer have been performed in postmenopausal women,mainly using patients and samples in adjuvant aromatase inhibitor trials. In contrast,even the clinical roles of Pg R and Ki67 have been little analyzed so far in premenopausal women. Pg R is one of the estrogen-responsive genes,and it has been reported that plasma estradiol levels are related to expression levels of estrogen-responsive genes including PGR in ER-positive breast cancer. In this article,biological differences,especially differences in expression of Pg R and Ki67 in ER-positive breast cancer between pre- and postmenopausal women are discussed. Clinical roles of Pg R and Ki67 in ER-positive breast cancer differ between pre- and postmenopausal women. We suggest that the mechanisms of development and estrogen-dependent growth of ER-positive breast cancer might differ according to menopausal status.

Osteolytic effects of tumoral estrogen signaling in an estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer bone metastasis model

Aim:Estrogen receptorα-positive(ER+)subtypes of breast cancer have the greatest predilection for forming osteolytic bone metastases(BMETs).Because tumor-derived factors mediate osteolysis,a possible role for tumoral ERαsignaling in driving ER+BMET osteolysis was queried using an estrogen(E2)-dependent ER+breast cancer BMET model.Methods:Female athymic Foxn1nu mice were inoculated with human ER+MCF-7 breast cancer cells via the left cardiac ventricle post-E2 pellet placement,and age-and dose-dependent E2 effects on osteolytic ER+BMET progression,as well as direct bone effects of E2,were determined.Results:Osteolytic BMETs,which did not form in the absence of E2 supplementation,occurred with the same frequency in young(5-week-old)vs.skeletally mature(16-week-old)E2(0.72 mg)-treated mice,but were larger in young mice where anabolic bone effects of E2 were greater.However,in mice of a single age and across a range of E2 doses,anabolic E2 bone effects were constant,while osteolytic ER+BMET lesion incidence and size increased in an E2 dose-dependent fashion.Osteoclasts in ER+tumor-bearing(but not tumor-naive)mice increased in an E2-dose dependent fashion at the bone-tumor interface,while histologic tumor size and proliferation did not vary with E2 dose.E2-inducible tumoral secretion of the osteolytic factor parathyroid hormone-related protein(PTHrP)was dose-dependent and mediated by ERα,with significantly greater levels of secretion from ER+BMET-derived tumor cells.Conclusion:These results suggest that tumoral ERαsignaling may contribute to ER+BMET-associated osteolysis,potentially explaining the greater predilection for ER+tumors to form clinically-evident osteolytic BMETs.

Exploratory clinical study of chidamide,an oral subtype-selective histone deacetylase inhibitor,in combination with exemestane in hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer

Objective: The recurrence or progression under endocrine therapy in hormone receptor-positive(HR+)advanced breast cancer(ABC) remained a critical clinical challenge.Chidamide is an oral subtype-selective histone deacetylase(HDAC) inhibitor with multiple functions in tumor growth inhibition and microenvironment modulation via epigenetic reprogramming.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety,pharmacokinetics(PK),and preliminary efficacy of chidamide in combination with exemestane in HR+ ABC patients.Methods: Eligible patients were postmenopausal women with HR+ ABC recurrent or progressed to at least one endocrine therapy.Blood samples were obtained in the run-in period and the first day of combination treatment for PK analysis.In combination treatment,patients were given exemestane 25mg daily and chidamide 30mg twice a week(BIW) until progression of disease or intolerable toxicities.A treatment cycle was defined as 4 weeks.Safety,PK parameters,and preliminary efficacy were evaluated.Results: A total of 20 patients were enrolled between July and December,2015.The median number of treatments cycle was 5.2(20.8 weeks) with 2 patients still on treatment at the data cut-off date of October,2017.The treatment-related adverse events(AE) ≥ grade 3 in more than 2 patients were neutropenia(35%),thrombocytopenia(30%),and leucopenia(20%).The plasma exposure of exemestane was consistent in the presence or absence of chidamide.A slight increase in chidamide exposure was noted in the presence of exemestane,probably due to the inter-and intra-patient variations.The best response in 16 evaluable patients was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(RECIST),including 4 patients with partial response,10 patients with stable disease.The median progression-free survival(PFS) was 7.6 months.Conclusions: The combination of chidamide with exemestane was generally well tolerated with promising preliminary efficacy in HR+ ABC patients.The overall results from this study encourage further pivotal trial in this patient population.

Correlation of radiotherapy with prognosis of elderly patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer according to immunohistochemical subtyping

Objective: The present study examined the effect of radiotherapy on recurrence and survival in elderly patients with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 327 patients aged ≥65 years, with stage I-II, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery and received endocrine therapy(ET) or radiotherapy plus endocrine therapy(ET+RT) was performed. Both groups were divided into luminal A type and luminal B type subgroups. Evaluation criteria were 5-year disease-free survival(DFS), local relapse rate(LRR), overall survival(OS), and distant metastasis rate(DMR).Results: There were significant differences in 5-year DFS [hazard ratio(HR)=1.59, 95% confidence interval(95% CI), 1.15-2.19;P=0.005] and LRR(HR=3.33, 95% CI, 1.51-7.34;P=0.003), whereas there were no significant differences in OS and DMR between ET group and ET+RT group. In luminal A type, there was no significant difference in 5-year DFS, LRR, OS and DMR between ET group and ET+RT group. In luminal B type,there were statistically significant differences in 5-year DFS(HR=2.19, 95% CI, 1.37-3.49;P=0.001), LRR(HR=5.45, 95% CI, 1.65-17.98;P=0.005), and OS(HR=1.75, 95% CI, 1.01-3.05;P=0.048) between ET group and ET+RT group. In the ET group, there were significant differences between luminal A type and luminal B type in5-year DFS(HR=1.84, 95% CI, 1.23-2.75;P=0.003) and OS(HR=1.76, 95% CI, 1.07-2.91;P=0.026).Conclusions: After breast-conserving surgery, radiotherapy can reduce the LRR and improve the DFS and OS of luminal B type elderly patients, whereas luminal A type elderly patients do not benefit from radiotherapy.Without radiotherapy, luminal A type patients have better DFS and OS than luminal B type patients.

Does local vaginal estrogen after tension-free transobturator vaginal tape reduce overactive bladder symptoms in postmenopausal women? A prospective randomized, controlled study

Objective:We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical estrogen after transvaginal tension-free vaginal tape-obturator(TVT-O)in the treatment of de novo overactive bladder symptoms that appear after surgery.Methods:This is a prospective randomized controlled study performed in the Urology and Gynecology Departments,Kasr Al Ainy Hospital,Cairo University,Cairo,Egypt.Two hundred and ten postmenopausal females presenting during the period between January 2017 and November 2020 with stress urinary incontinence were included in the study.Patients were divided into two groups,105 patients in Group A(treatment group)and 105 patients in Group B(control group).Patients in Group A underwent transvaginal TVT-O followed by local vaginal estrogen treatment for 6 months,while patients in Group B underwent transvaginal TVT-O only.The study included any postmenopausal female with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.All patients had to fulfill a 3-day bladder diary,overactive bladder symptoms score,urine analysis,urodynamic study,and post-voiding residual urine measurement by abdominal ultrasound preoperatively and at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups.Results:At 6-month follow-up,daytime frequency was reduced to 8%in Group A(increased to 21%in Group B)with a statistically significant difference between both groups(p=0.009).At 6-month follow-up,nocturia was 8%in Group A(11%in Group B)with no statistically significant difference between both groups(p=0.469).There was a statistically significant difference between both groups as regards to urinary urgency at 6-month follow-up(p=0.024).There was a statistically significant difference in postoperative wound healing events as regards to cure,hyperemia,gapping,and wound infection 1 week after intervention between both groups(p=0.008).No local or systemic side-effects were reported from local estrogen use.Conclusion:Local vaginal estrogen treatment given to postmenopausal patients after midurethral sling procedures can reduce the symptoms of daytime frequency and urinary urgency.Long-term follow-up is needed.

Intricate roles of estrogen and estrogen receptors in digestive system cancers:a systematic review

Gender disparities are evident across different types of digestive system cancers,which are typically characterized by a lower incidence and mortality rate in females compared to males.This finding suggests a potential protective role of female steroid hormones,particularly estrogen,in the development of these cancers.Estrogen is a well-known sex hormone that not only regulates the reproductive system but also exerts diverse effects on non-reproductive organs mediated through interactions with estrogen receptors(ERs),including the classic(ERαand ERβ)and non-traditional ERs[G protein-coupled estrogen receptor(GPER)].Recent advances have contributed to our comprehension of the mechanisms underlying ERs in digestive system cancers.In this comprehensive review we summarize the current understanding of the intricate roles played by estrogen and ERs in the major types of digestive system cancers,including hepatocellular,pancreatic,esophageal,gastric,and colorectal carcinoma.Furthermore,we discuss the potential molecular mechanisms underlying ERα,ERβ,and GPER effects,and propose perspectives on innovative therapies and preventive measures targeting the pathways regulated by estrogen and ERs.The roles of estrogen and ERs in digestive system cancers are complicated and depend on the cell type and tissue involved.Additionally,deciphering the intricate roles of estrogen,ERs,and the associated signaling pathways may guide the discovery of novel and tailored therapeutic and preventive strategies for digestive system cancers,eventually improving the care and clinical outcomes for the substantial number of individuals worldwide affected by these malignancies.

Estrogen restores disordered lipid metabolism in visceral fat of prediabetic mice

BACKGROUND Visceral obesity is increasingly prevalent among adolescents and young adults and is commonly recognized as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.Estrogen[17β-estradiol(E2)]is known to offer protection against obesity via diverse me-chanisms,while its specific effects on visceral adipose tissue(VAT)remain to be fully elucidated.AIM To investigate the impact of E2 on the gene expression profile within VAT of a mouse model of prediabetes.METHODS Metabolic parameters were collected,encompassing body weight,weights of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues(VAT and SAT),random blood glucose levels,glucose tolerance,insulin tolerance,and overall body composition.The gene expression profiles of VAT were quantified utilizing the Whole Mouse Genome Oligo Microarray and subsequently analyzed through Agilent Feature Extraction software.Functional and pathway analyses were conducted employing Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses,respectively.RESULTS Feeding a high-fat diet(HFD)moderately increased the weights of both VAT and SAT,but this increase was mitigated by the protective effect of endogenous E2.Conversely,ovariectomy(OVX)led to a significant increase in VAT weight and the VAT/SAT weight ratio,and this increase was also reversed with E2 treatment.Notably,OVX diminished the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism compared to HFD feeding alone,signaling a widespread reduction in lipid metabolic activity,which was completely counteracted by E2 adminis-tration.This study provides a comprehensive insight into E2's local and direct protective effects against visceral adiposity in VAT at the gene level.CONCLUSION In conclusion,the present study demonstrated that the HFD-induced over-nutritional challenge disrupted the gene expression profile of visceral fat,leading to a universally decreased lipid metabolic status in E2 deficient mice.E2 treatment effectively reversed this condition,shedding light on the mechanistic role and therapeutic potential of E2 in combating visceral obesity.

17β-Estradiol,through activating the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor,exacerbates the complication of benign prostatic hyperplasia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients by inducing prostate proliferation

Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is one of the major chronic complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),and sex steroid hormones are common risk factors for the occurrence of T2DM and BPH.The profiles of sex steroid hormones are simultaneously quantified by LC-MS/MS in the clinical serum of patients,including simple BPH patients,newly diagnosed T2DM patients,T2DM complicated with BPH patients and matched healthy individuals.The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor(GPER)inhibitor G15,GPER knockdown lentivirus,the YAP1 inhibitor verteporfin,YAP1 knockdown/overexpression lentivirus,targeted metabolomics analysis,and Co-IP assays are used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the disrupted sex steroid hormones homeostasis in the pathological process of T2DM complicated with BPH.The homeostasis of sex steroid hormone is disrupted in the serum of patients,accompanying with the proliferated prostatic epithelial cells(PECs).The sex steroid hormone metabolic profiles of T2DM patients complicated with BPH have the greatest degrees of separation from those of healthy individuals.Elevated 17β-estradiol(E2)is the key contributor to the disrupted sex steroid hormone homeostasis,and is significantly positively related to the clinical characteristics of T2DM patients complicated with BPH.Activating GPER by E2 via Hippo-YAP1 signaling exacerbates high glucose(HG)-induced PECs proliferation through the formation of the YAP1-TEAD4 heterodimer.Knockdown or inhibition of GPER-mediated Hippo-YAP1 signaling suppresses PECs proliferation in HG and E2 co-treated BPH-1 cells.The anti-proliferative effects of verteporfin,an inhibitor of YAP1,are blocked by YAP1 overexpression in HG and E2 co-treated BPH-1 cells.Inactivating E2/GPER/Hippo/YAP1 signaling may be effective at delaying the progression of T2DM complicated with BPH by inhibiting PECs proliferation.

Comprehensive Analysis of Estrogen Receptor 1 Dysregulation in Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Prognosis and Therapeutic Targeting - A Secondary Publication

The study investigates the expression pattern and regulatory mechanisms of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Utilizing UALCAN and GEPIA2 databases, significant down-regulation of ESR1 expression is observed in LIHC samples compared to normal controls, indicating its potential role in tumor progression. Further analysis reveals consistent down-regulation across different clinical variables including patient age, gender, race, and various stages of LIHC, affirming the regulatory role of ESR1 in tumor development and progression. Additionally, promoter methylation analysis demonstrates hypermethylation of ESR1 in LIHC samples, negatively correlating with its expression. This association persists across different clinical parameters, emphasizing the inverse relationship between ESR1 methylation and expression levels. Survival analysis indicates that up- regulation of ESR1 is associated with better overall survival, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker in LIHC. Furthermore, genetic mutation analysis using cBioPortal reveals a spectrum of alterations in ESR1, including amplification, missense mutation, deep deletion, splice mutation, and truncating mutation, highlighting the genetic complexity of ESR1 in LIHC. These findings collectively contribute to a deeper understanding of ESR1 dysregulation in LIHC and its clinical implications as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker.

Changes of Estrogen in Serum and Estrogen Receptor β in the Relevant Brain Regions Following Mating Behavior of the Male Mandarin Vole Microtus mandarinus

In order to investigate the estrogen and estrogen receptor β changes after mating behavior of male mandarin vole （Microtus mandarinus）, the radioimmunoassay （RIA） and immunohistochemistry methods were used to investigate changes of the serum estrogen （E） concentrations, estrogen immunoreactive neurons （E-IRs） and estrogen receptor β immunoreactive neurons （ERβ-IRs） in the relevant brain regions following mating behavior. Fifteen sexually matured male voles were randomly divided into three groups and treated differently： （1） control group： voles were exposed to clean hard-wood shavings （n=5）, （2） exposure group： voles were exposed to the soiled bedding for more than 24h on which estrous females had been placed （n=5）, and （3） mating group： voles were placed with an estrous female for more than 24h （n=5）. The results showed circulating serum E concentrations were significantly higher in the mating group than in the exposure group and the control group, and there were no significant difference between the exposure group and the control group. E-IRs and ERβ-IRs were detected in the following brain regions related to mating behavior： the arcuate nucleus （ARC）, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis （BST）, lateral septal nucleus （LS）, medial amygdaloid nucleus （ME）, medial preoptic area （MPO） and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus （VMH）. The results showed that there were significantly more E-IRs in the six brain regions in the mating group than in the control group and the exposure group, and there were no significant difference between the exposure group and the control group except for LS. There was no significant difference in ERβ-IRs in the six brain regions among the three groups, and there were some lighter -stained ERβ-IRs in these brain regions. The results suggested that estrogen affect mating activity of male mandarin voles, but ERβ might not play an important role in mating behavior of male mandarin voles. Instead, it might be through other receptors.

鱼类性别可塑性的分子机制

鱼类性别具有高度的可塑性,具体表现为天然性逆转、原发性逆转和次发性逆转。近年来,一系列研究都证明鱼类性别可塑性与雌激素密切相关。一旦阻断性腺雌激素的合成,无论是未分化还是已分化卵巢都将性逆转为精巢。鱼类的性别决定通路基因缺失诱导的性逆转也与雌激素相关。重要的是,发现生殖细胞的可塑性依赖于foxl3和dmrt1的同时存在,缺失其中一个都不能通过改变雌激素水平从而诱导性逆转。因此,foxl3和dmrt1是生殖细胞响应雌激素的关键基因。另外,表观遗传调控基因kdm6bb通过选择性剪接介导温度诱导的性逆转。这些研究增进了我们对鱼类性别可塑性分子机制的认识。

绝经后女性体质量指数与内侧单髁置换后疗效的关系

背景:单髁置换后随访中,部分患者出现膝关节疼痛活动受限,其中绝经后肥胖女性最为多见;体质量指数作为衡量身体肥胖程度的重要指标,是否与单髁置换后疗效有关,肥胖是否会影响术后膝关节功能,值得进一步研究。目的:评价绝经后肥胖女性患者行内侧单髁置换后的临床疗效,明确体质量指数对单髁置换后患者生活质量的影响。方法:纳入新疆医科大学第四临床医学院2017年1月至2019年1月因内侧膝关节疼痛并初次行内侧单髁置换的女性绝经患者;根据标准共纳入270例,按照术前体质量指数分为4组:正常组42例(体质量指数18.5-22.9 kg/m^(2)),超重组58例(体质量指数23.0-24.9 kg/m2),肥胖组122例(体质量指数25.0-29.9 kg/m^(2)),重度肥胖组48例(体质量指数≥30 kg/m^(2))。分别比较各组术前、术后及末次随访美国特种外科医院膝关节评分、安大略省西部和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎指数评分、膝关节活动度、目测类比评分及髋膝踝角;随访并记录患者术后假体使用时间、失效或翻修原因,计算并比较各组假体的有效使用率,采用生存曲线对假体有效使用率进行统计学分析。结果与结论:(1)各组患者间术后随访时间、膝关节活动度、目测类比评分、髋膝踝角比较差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);(2)术后末次随访各组间美国特种外科医院膝关节评分、安大略省西部和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎指数评分均较术前显著改善(P<0.05),且各组间比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.05),对于美国特种外科医院膝关节评分重度肥胖组改善效果最差;(3)各组术后即刻与末次随访髋膝踝角对比发现,除正常组外(P>0.05),其余各组2个时间点之间差异均有显著性意义(P<0.05);(4)正常、超重、肥胖及重度肥胖组假体有效使用率依次为100%,95%,94%和94%,组间比较差异无显著性意义(χ^(2)=2.532,P=0.469);(5)提示绝经后肥胖女性患者体质量指数值对内侧单髁假体有效使用率无显著影响;肥胖是影响患者术后膝关节功能评分及假体有效使用率的重要因素,单髁置换前后应适当控制体质量,同时女性体质量指数≥30 kg/m^(2)不是单髁置换的最佳适应证,建议行单髁置换的女性患者应将体质量指数控制在30 kg/m^(2)以下。

卵形鲳鲹促性腺激素β亚基的克隆鉴定及其受雌二醇的调控

促性腺激素(GtH,gonadotropin hormone)是垂体合成和分泌的一类重要糖蛋白激素,包括促卵泡生成素(Fsh,follicle stimulating hormone)和促黄体生成素(Lh,luteinizing hormone),在促进性腺发育和成熟过程中发挥重要作用。本研究成功克隆了卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)fshβ和lhβ基因的开放阅读框(ORF,open reading frame)序列,fshβORF长度为363 bp,lhβORF长度为447 bp。通过荧光定量PCR技术(qPCR,quantitative realtime PCR)检测,发现fshβ和lhβ基因在卵形鲳鲹的下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴(HPG,hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis)显著表达,在垂体中的表达水平最高,其次是下丘脑和性腺。此外,通过体外实验评估17β-雌二醇(E2,17β-estradiol)对卵形鲳鲹垂体组织中fshβ和lhβ基因表达的影响。结果显示,10μmol/L E2处理6 h后,GtHβ亚基基因的表达被极显著抑制。最后,使用雌激素受体(ER,estrogen receptor)拮抗剂体外孵育卵形鲳鲹垂体组织,发现广谱性拮抗剂Fulvestrant、ERβ拮抗剂Cyclofenil和ERα拮抗剂MPP(MPP dihydrochloride)均能够消除E2对GtHβ亚基基因表达的抑制作用。综上所述,研究结果表明E2对卵形鲳鲹GtH的分泌具有负反馈调节作用,为卵形鲳鲹生殖调控机制提供了有价值的见解。

Effect of Estrogen and Antiestrogen on Chemotherapeutic Sensitivity of Endometrial Carcinoma Cell Line

Objective: To study the effect of estrogen and tamoxifen on chemotherapeutic sensitivity in ER(+) endometrial carcinoma cells.Methods: DNA fragmentation as the criteria for apoptotic cell death was used to evaluate the value of estrogen, tamoxifen and adriamycin in ER(+) endometrial carcinoma cells. DNA fragmentation was measured with the cell death ELISA.Results: Adriamycin and tamoxifen could induce apoptosis in ER(+) endometrial carcinoma cell. The cell apoptosis level was decreased with the increasing of 17-β-estradiol concentration (P<0.001) and was inversely proportional to 17-β-estradiol concentration (IgM) (P<0.01). The cell apoptosis level was increased with the increasing of tamoxifen concentration (P<0.01) and was also directly proportional to tamoxifen concentration (IgM). Furthermore, the cell apoptosis level was increased significantly after treated with both tamoxifen and adriamycin.Conclusion: Estrogen may block apoptosis induced by adriamycin in ER(+) endometrial carcinoma cell. Tamoxifen can increase the sensitivity of endometrial carcinoma cell to adriamycin. Tamoxifen combined with chemotherapeutic drug may be of significant therapeutic benefit in ER(+) endometrial carcinoma. Key words endometrial carcinoma - estrogen - tamoxifen - adriamycin - cell apoptosis

Association of CA Repeat Polymorphism in Estrogen Receptor β Gene with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Chinese

Postmenopausal osteoporosis （PMO） is considered a polygenic disease. The estrogen receptor β （ESR2） gene is a candidate mediating the genetic influence on bone mass and the risk of osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of a cytosine-adenine （CA） repeat polymorphism in the fifth intron of the ESR2 gene with PMO in Chinese Han population. The CA repeat polymorphism was genotyped in a case-control study, involving 78 femoral neck PMO patients vs. 122 controls and 108 lumbar spine （L2-4） PMO patients vs. 92 controls. The （CA）n〈22 and （CA）n≥22 alleles were designated short （S） and long （L）, respectively. ESR2 genotype was categorically defined as SS （2 S alleles）, SL （having the mixed S and L alleles）, and LL （2 L alleles）. At both the femoral neck and the L2-4 region, LL genotype and L allele frequencies of the PMO group were significantly higher than those of the control group （P〈0.01）. The subjects with the SL, the LL, and the combined SL and LL genotype had a significant increased risk of PMO when compared with those with the SS genotype （P〈0.05）. After adjustments for age, years since menopause, menopausal age, and body mass index, logistic regression analysis showed that the subjects with the combined SL and LL genotype had increased risk of PMO when compared with those with the SS genotype both at the femoral neck （adjusted OR 4.923, 95% CI 1.986-12.203 , P=0.001） and the L2-4 （adjusted OR 2.267, 95% CI 1.121-4.598, P=0.023）. This extensive association study has identified the ESR2 CA repeat polymorphism to be independently associated with PMO at the femoral neck and the L2-4 in Chinese Han population. The data also suggested that the presence of the L allele may dominantly increase the risk of PMO at the two regions.

The sexually dimorphic expression of glutamate transporters and their implication in pain after spinal cord injury

In addition to the loss of motor function,~60% of patients develop pain after spinal cord injury.The cellular-molecular mechanisms are not well understood,but the data suggests that plasticity within the rostral,epicenter,and caudal penumbra of the injury site initiates a cellularmolecular interplay that acts as a rewiring mechanism leading to central neuropathic pain.Sprouting can lead to the formation of new connections triggering abnormal sensory transmission.The excitatory glutamate transporters are responsible for the reuptake of extracellular glutamate which makes them a critical target to prevent neuronal hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity.Our previous studies showed a sexually dimorphic therapeutic window for spinal cord injury after treatment with the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen.In this study,we investigated the anti-allodynic effects of tamoxifen in male and female rats with spinal cord injury.We hypothesized that tamoxifen exerts anti-allodynic effects by increasing the expression of glutamate transporters,leading to reduced hyperexcitability of the secondary neuron or by decreasing aberrant sprouting.Male and female rats received a moderate contusion to the thoracic spinal cord followed by subcutaneous slow-release treatment of tamoxifen or matrix pellets as a control(placebo).We used von Frey monofilaments and the“up-down method”to evaluate mechanical allodynia.Tamoxifen treatment decreased allodynia only in female rats with spinal cord injury revealing a sexdependent effect.The expression profile of glutamatergic transporters(excitatory amino acid transporter 1/glutamate aspartate transporter and excitatory amino acid transporter 2/glutamate transporter-1)revealed a sexual dimorphism in the rostral,epicenter,and caudal areas of the spinal cord with a pattern of expression primarily on astrocytes.Female rodents showed a significantly higher level of excitatory amino acid transporter-1 expression while male rodents showed increased excitatory amino acid transporter-2 expression compared with female rodents.Analyses of peptidergic(calcitonin gene-related peptide-α)and non-peptidergic(isolectin B4)fibers outgrowth in the dorsal horn after spinal cord injury showed an increased calcitonin gene-related peptide-α/isolectin B4 ratio in comparison with sham,suggesting increased receptive fields in the dorsal horn.Although the behavioral assay shows decreased allodynia in tamoxifen-treated female rats,this was not associated with overexpression of glutamate transporters or alterations in the dorsal horn laminae fibers at 28 days post-injury.Our findings provide new evidence of the sexually dimorphic expression of glutamate transporters in the spinal cord.The dimorphic expression revealed in this study provides a therapeutic opportunity for treating chronic pain,an area with a critical need for treatment.

长链非编码RNA通过p38MAPK信号通路直接或间接影响骨质疏松症

背景:近年来大量的研究发现长链非编码RNA参与骨质疏松症的发生和发展。p38MAPK信号通路参与骨髓间充质干细胞、成骨细胞以及破骨细胞的分化等过程而参与骨质疏松症的发展,而长链非编码RNA可通过影响p38MAPK信号通路,直接或间接参与骨质疏松症的发生及发展过程。目的:综述长链非编码RNA通过p38MAPK信号通路,直接或间接影响骨质疏松症的进展,为长链非编码RNA在骨质疏松症中预防和治疗提供一个新思路。方法:检索PubMed、中国知网和万方数据库的相关文献,以“长链非编码RNA,骨质疏松,间充质干细胞,成骨细胞,破骨细胞,p38信号通路”为中文检索词,以“long non-coding RNA,osteoporosis,mesenchymal stem cells,osteoblasts,osteoclast,p38 signaling pathway”为英文检索词,排除陈旧、重复以及可信度低的观点,将检索到的文献进行归纳、总结和分析,选取76篇具有代表性的文章。结果与结论:(1)长链非编码RNA通过多种途径参与骨质疏松症的防治,包括促进骨髓间充质干细胞的成骨分化、促进成骨细胞分化和成骨细胞分泌活性、抑制破骨细胞增殖和对骨的吸收作用,以及调节成骨相关细胞通路的激活或抑制,激活p38MAPK信号通路延缓骨质疏松症进展,抑制该信号通路抑制破骨细胞的吸收作用,从而影响骨质疏松的发生和发展。(2)相应长链非编码RNA的过表达或低表达会通过p38MAPK信号通路来影响成骨细胞和破骨细胞的增殖或分化,调节骨重塑过程,进而影响骨质疏松症的发生和发展。大量的基础研究结果显示,长链非编码RNA和p38MAPK信号通路或许可以成为骨质疏松症治疗中的潜在应用和临床转化价值;且相应的长链非编码RNA过表达或低表达慢病毒、转染质粒,相应的p38MAPK信号通路抑制剂等在体外细胞实验及动物模型中都被证实有靶向调控作用。(3)因此,通过靶向调控长链非编码RNA和p38MAPK信号通路来调节骨髓间充质干细胞的分化和功能,或通过长链非编码RNA和p38MAPK信号通路来抑制破骨细胞的增殖分化,或许能提供一种创新的治疗策略,可以延缓骨质疏松症的进展。

人脐带间充质干细胞联合褪黑素治疗化疗致早发性卵巢功能不全的作用及机制

背景:目前研究证明,人脐带间充质干细胞和褪黑素均可改善卵巢功能,但人脐带间充质干细胞联合褪黑素对化疗所致早发性卵巢功能不全的保护作用及机制尚未有研究报道。目的:探讨人脐带间充质干细胞联合褪黑素对化疗所致早发性卵巢功能不全的保护作用及机制。方法:将动情周期正常的40只Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、人脐带间充质干细胞组、褪黑素组和人脐带间充质干细胞+褪黑素组,每组8只。除对照组外,其他组腹腔注射顺铂溶液构建早发性卵巢功能不全大鼠模型,人脐带间充质干细胞组和人脐带间充质干细胞+褪黑素组于造模后第1,6,11天分别尾静脉注射1×10^(6)个人脐带间充质干细胞,褪黑素组和人脐带间充质干细胞+褪黑素组每日腹腔注射10 mg/kg褪黑素,治疗期间监测大鼠体质量和动情周期变化。治疗14 d后,ELISA法检测血清雌二醇、卵泡刺激素、促黄体生成素、抗缪勒管激素水平,计算卵巢指数,苏木精-伊红染色观察卵巢组织学形态,透射电镜观察卵巢颗粒细胞超微结构,Western blot检测PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路蛋白和LC3、P62等自噬蛋白在卵巢组织中的表达。结果与结论:(1)与对照组相比,模型组大鼠体质量逐渐减轻、动情周期紊乱,卵巢指数显著下降(P<0.01);雌二醇、抗缪勒管激素水平降低(P<0.01),卵泡刺激素、促黄体生成素水平升高(P<0.01);卵巢组织学形态和卵巢颗粒细胞超微结构严重破坏;p-PI3K/PI3K、p-AKT/AKT、p-mTOR/mTOR和P62蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.01),LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ蛋白表达显著升高(P<0.001)。(2)与模型组相比,各治疗组大鼠体质量逐渐恢复,部分大鼠动情周期恢复正常,卵巢指数显著升高(P<0.01);雌二醇、抗缪勒管激素水平升高(P<0.05),卵泡刺激素、促黄体生成素水平降低(P<0.05);卵巢组织学形态和卵巢颗粒细胞超微结构显著改善;p-PI3K/PI3K、p-AKT/AKT、p-mTOR/mTOR和P62蛋白表达显著升高(P<0.001),LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.01)。其中人脐带间充质干细胞+褪黑素组上述指标改善更为显著。结果表明,人脐带间充质干细胞联合褪黑素可能通过上调PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路,抑制卵巢颗粒细胞自噬来治疗早发性卵巢功能不全。