Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),mainly as a result of chronic necroinflammatory liver disease. A characteristic feature of chro...Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),mainly as a result of chronic necroinflammatory liver disease. A characteristic feature of chronic hepatitis B infection,alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is hepatic steatosis. Hepatic steatosis leads to an increase in lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes,which,in turn,activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). HSCs are the primary target cells for inflammatory and oxidative stimuli,and these cells produce extracellular matrix components. Chronic hepatitis B appears to progress more rapidly in males than in females,and NAFLD,cirrhosis and HCC are predominately diseases that tend to occur in men and postmenopausal women. Premenopausal women have lower hepatic iron stores and a decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines. Hepatic steatosis has been observed in aromatase-deficient mice,and has been shown to decrease in animals after estradiol treatment. Estradiol is a potent endogenous antioxidant which suppresses hepatic fibrosis in animal models,and attenuates induction of redox sensitive transcription factors,hepatocyte apoptosis and HSC activation by inhibiting a generation of reactive oxygen species in primary cultures. Variant estrogen receptors are expressed to a greater extent in male patients with chronic liver disease than in females. These lines of evidence suggest that the greater progression of hepatic fibrosis and HCC in men and postmenopausal women may be due,at least in part,to lower production of estradiol and a reduced response to the action of estradiol. A better understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying the sex-associated differences in hepatic fibrogenesis and carciogenesis may open up new avenues for the prevention and treatment of chronic liver disease.展开更多
Steroid sex hormones, such as estradiol-17β (E2) and testosterone (T), are important regulators of sex change in fish. In this study, we examined the effects of E2 treatment on the dynamics of E2 and T during gon...Steroid sex hormones, such as estradiol-17β (E2) and testosterone (T), are important regulators of sex change in fish. In this study, we examined the effects of E2 treatment on the dynamics of E2 and T during gonadal differentiation in the olive flounder Paralichtbys olivaceus using histology and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Flounder larvae were divided into five groups (G0~G4), and fed with 0 (control), 0.2, 2, 20 and 100 mg E2/kg feed from 35 to 110 day post hatching (dph). Fish growth in the G1 and G2 groups was not significantly different from that of the control group (P〉0.05), while fish in the G3 and G4 groups were less active and showed growth depression and high mortality. The gonads of fish in the G3 and G4 groups were smaller and surrounded by hyperplastic connective tissue. The frequency of females in the G0-G4 groups was 54.5%, 75.0%, 100%, 100% and 93.3%, respectively. The RIA analyses of E2 and T showed that T levels decreased during gonadal differentiation, and increased slightly at the onset of ovarian differentiation, while E2 levels increased gradually and peaked at the onset of ovarian differentiation in the control group. In the E2-treated groups, T levels decreased before the onset of ovarian differentiation. E2 levels were high on the 48 dph, but declined to a lower level on the 54 dph, and then increased gradually during gonadal differentiation. And a sharp increase of E2 levels were observed in all E2-treated groups at the onset of ovarian differentiation. The data suggest that T and E2 play important roles during gonadal differentiation, and an E2 dose of 2 mg/kg feed could induce sex reversal in P olivaceus.展开更多
Estradiol, or 17-β-estradiol (E2), the most potent naturally occurring estrogen, is involved in the hormone-immune system interaction in both mammals and fish. However, in vivo studies are largely limited, and litt...Estradiol, or 17-β-estradiol (E2), the most potent naturally occurring estrogen, is involved in the hormone-immune system interaction in both mammals and fish. However, in vivo studies are largely limited, and little is known about whether E2 exerts similar effects on both female and male zebrafish (Danio rerio). Here, we show exposure of both sexes ofD. rerio to 20 nmol/L E2 resulted in a significant increase in Vgl expression, but caused little damage to the hepatocytes, suggesting that this is the optimum E2 concentration. Also, exposure to 20 nmol/L E2 for 20 days caused a marked increase in plasma IgM levels, but had little influence on the peripheral leukocyte density, providing the first evidence of a hormone-immune system interaction in this species.展开更多
Objective: To study the inhibition effects of estrogen on the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human placental cells. Methods: Primary cultured placental cells were treated by ICI182, 780, a complete E...Objective: To study the inhibition effects of estrogen on the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human placental cells. Methods: Primary cultured placental cells were treated by ICI182, 780, a complete ER antagonist , and Tamoxifen, an ERa-mixed agonist/antagonist and ERβ antagonist for 24 h. The supernatant was havested for the radioimmunoassay of CRH. Results: 17β-estradiol inhibited the secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human placental (P<0.05). ICI182, 780 stimulated the secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human placental (P<0.05). Conclusion: Estrogen represses the synthesis and secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human placental, which is possibly mediated by ERa.展开更多
Steroid hormones participate in the modulation of serotonergic transmission, including the regulation of synthetic and metabolic enzyme production, as well as receptor and transporter activity. The changes of 5-HT5A a...Steroid hormones participate in the modulation of serotonergic transmission, including the regulation of synthetic and metabolic enzyme production, as well as receptor and transporter activity. The changes of 5-HT5A and 5-HT2c immunolabeling induced by steroids in the hippocampus ofovariectomized rats were studied in this work. Densitometric analysis in rat hippocampi were carried out for adjacent brain coronal immunolabeled sections after treatment with subcutaneous injections of vehicle, estradiol, progesterone or the combination of both steroids in ovariectomized rats. Exposure to estradiol and the combination of estradiol and progesterone significantly reduced the 5-HT5A-like immunosignal in the CA 1 region while progesterone did not induce changes. On the other hand, exposure to the combination of estradiol and progesterone or estradiol alone increased the 5-HT2c immunosignal in the same region. These results indicate that estradiol is involved in the discrete regulation of serotonin receptors 5-HT5A and 5-HT2c in rat hippocampus.展开更多
Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture for infertility due to luteal phase defect (LPD).Method:Fifty cases were randomized into an acupuncture group (30 cases) and a medication (Clomiphene) group (20 ...Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture for infertility due to luteal phase defect (LPD).Method:Fifty cases were randomized into an acupuncture group (30 cases) and a medication (Clomiphene) group (20 cases).High phase score (HPS) was adopted to evaluate the luteal function before and after treatments,coupled with observation on the changes of E 2,progesterone (P),follicles and endometrium.Results:The total effective rate in the acupuncture group was 93.4%,versus 70.0% in the medication group,showing a significant difference (P〈0.05).Conclusion:Both acupuncture and Clomiphene can substantially improve the luteal function;however,acupuncture can get a better effect in improving the endometrium and a lower miscarriage rate than Clomiphene.展开更多
文摘Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),mainly as a result of chronic necroinflammatory liver disease. A characteristic feature of chronic hepatitis B infection,alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is hepatic steatosis. Hepatic steatosis leads to an increase in lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes,which,in turn,activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). HSCs are the primary target cells for inflammatory and oxidative stimuli,and these cells produce extracellular matrix components. Chronic hepatitis B appears to progress more rapidly in males than in females,and NAFLD,cirrhosis and HCC are predominately diseases that tend to occur in men and postmenopausal women. Premenopausal women have lower hepatic iron stores and a decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines. Hepatic steatosis has been observed in aromatase-deficient mice,and has been shown to decrease in animals after estradiol treatment. Estradiol is a potent endogenous antioxidant which suppresses hepatic fibrosis in animal models,and attenuates induction of redox sensitive transcription factors,hepatocyte apoptosis and HSC activation by inhibiting a generation of reactive oxygen species in primary cultures. Variant estrogen receptors are expressed to a greater extent in male patients with chronic liver disease than in females. These lines of evidence suggest that the greater progression of hepatic fibrosis and HCC in men and postmenopausal women may be due,at least in part,to lower production of estradiol and a reduced response to the action of estradiol. A better understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying the sex-associated differences in hepatic fibrogenesis and carciogenesis may open up new avenues for the prevention and treatment of chronic liver disease.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30571445)the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China(863 Program)(No.2006AA10A404)the Earmarked Fund for Modern Agro-Industry Technology Research System,China(No.nycytx-50)
文摘Steroid sex hormones, such as estradiol-17β (E2) and testosterone (T), are important regulators of sex change in fish. In this study, we examined the effects of E2 treatment on the dynamics of E2 and T during gonadal differentiation in the olive flounder Paralichtbys olivaceus using histology and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Flounder larvae were divided into five groups (G0~G4), and fed with 0 (control), 0.2, 2, 20 and 100 mg E2/kg feed from 35 to 110 day post hatching (dph). Fish growth in the G1 and G2 groups was not significantly different from that of the control group (P〉0.05), while fish in the G3 and G4 groups were less active and showed growth depression and high mortality. The gonads of fish in the G3 and G4 groups were smaller and surrounded by hyperplastic connective tissue. The frequency of females in the G0-G4 groups was 54.5%, 75.0%, 100%, 100% and 93.3%, respectively. The RIA analyses of E2 and T showed that T levels decreased during gonadal differentiation, and increased slightly at the onset of ovarian differentiation, while E2 levels increased gradually and peaked at the onset of ovarian differentiation in the control group. In the E2-treated groups, T levels decreased before the onset of ovarian differentiation. E2 levels were high on the 48 dph, but declined to a lower level on the 54 dph, and then increased gradually during gonadal differentiation. And a sharp increase of E2 levels were observed in all E2-treated groups at the onset of ovarian differentiation. The data suggest that T and E2 play important roles during gonadal differentiation, and an E2 dose of 2 mg/kg feed could induce sex reversal in P olivaceus.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No. 2007ZRB02238)the Natural Science Foundation of Qingdao Municipality (No. 06-2-2-15-jch)
文摘Estradiol, or 17-β-estradiol (E2), the most potent naturally occurring estrogen, is involved in the hormone-immune system interaction in both mammals and fish. However, in vivo studies are largely limited, and little is known about whether E2 exerts similar effects on both female and male zebrafish (Danio rerio). Here, we show exposure of both sexes ofD. rerio to 20 nmol/L E2 resulted in a significant increase in Vgl expression, but caused little damage to the hepatocytes, suggesting that this is the optimum E2 concentration. Also, exposure to 20 nmol/L E2 for 20 days caused a marked increase in plasma IgM levels, but had little influence on the peripheral leukocyte density, providing the first evidence of a hormone-immune system interaction in this species.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.39870300)
文摘Objective: To study the inhibition effects of estrogen on the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human placental cells. Methods: Primary cultured placental cells were treated by ICI182, 780, a complete ER antagonist , and Tamoxifen, an ERa-mixed agonist/antagonist and ERβ antagonist for 24 h. The supernatant was havested for the radioimmunoassay of CRH. Results: 17β-estradiol inhibited the secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human placental (P<0.05). ICI182, 780 stimulated the secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human placental (P<0.05). Conclusion: Estrogen represses the synthesis and secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human placental, which is possibly mediated by ERa.
文摘Steroid hormones participate in the modulation of serotonergic transmission, including the regulation of synthetic and metabolic enzyme production, as well as receptor and transporter activity. The changes of 5-HT5A and 5-HT2c immunolabeling induced by steroids in the hippocampus ofovariectomized rats were studied in this work. Densitometric analysis in rat hippocampi were carried out for adjacent brain coronal immunolabeled sections after treatment with subcutaneous injections of vehicle, estradiol, progesterone or the combination of both steroids in ovariectomized rats. Exposure to estradiol and the combination of estradiol and progesterone significantly reduced the 5-HT5A-like immunosignal in the CA 1 region while progesterone did not induce changes. On the other hand, exposure to the combination of estradiol and progesterone or estradiol alone increased the 5-HT2c immunosignal in the same region. These results indicate that estradiol is involved in the discrete regulation of serotonin receptors 5-HT5A and 5-HT2c in rat hippocampus.
文摘Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture for infertility due to luteal phase defect (LPD).Method:Fifty cases were randomized into an acupuncture group (30 cases) and a medication (Clomiphene) group (20 cases).High phase score (HPS) was adopted to evaluate the luteal function before and after treatments,coupled with observation on the changes of E 2,progesterone (P),follicles and endometrium.Results:The total effective rate in the acupuncture group was 93.4%,versus 70.0% in the medication group,showing a significant difference (P〈0.05).Conclusion:Both acupuncture and Clomiphene can substantially improve the luteal function;however,acupuncture can get a better effect in improving the endometrium and a lower miscarriage rate than Clomiphene.