Studies on estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta responses on gene regulation in peripheral blood leukocytes in vivo using selective ER agonists.

Major reproductive events such as menstruation, ovulation, implantation, and cervical ripening are characterized by an increased number of invading leukocytes in the tissues. Sex steroid hormones, particularly estrogens, play an important role in these dynamic changes in the female reproductive tract. Estrogens have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of many common pathological conditions associated with leukocyte infiltration and immunological dysfunction, such as auto-immune diseases and atherosclerosis.

Identification of wild type and variants of oestrogen receptors in polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leucocytes.

Objective: Leucocytes play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. Clinical and epidemiological observations indicate that the sex steroid hormones, particularly oestrogens, may regulate leucocyte functions. The assumption that oestrogens have a direct effect on leucocytes has to be supported by identification of functional oestrogen receptors (ER) in leucocytes.

Factors involved in the inflammatory events of cervical ripening in humans.

Background: Cervical ripening is an inflammatory reaction. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mediates glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory reactions, whereas nuclear factor (NF)kappaB is a key pro-inflammatory transcription factor. Prostaglandins as well as platelet activating factor (PAF) are inflammatory mediators.

Endocrine regulation of cervical ripening in humans--potential roles for gonadal steroids and insulin-like growth factor-I.

Cervical softening is crucial for a normal parturition and corresponds to remodeling of the dominating cervical extra cellular matrix (ECM). The onset of labor as well as cervical ripening is under hormonal control. To get further information about the endocrine regulation of term cervical ripening the following study was undertaken: cervical biopsies were obtained vaginally at elective caesareans, after normal vaginal delivery and after PGE2 or antiprogestin RU486.

Different proliferative and apoptotic activity in peripheral versus central parts of human uterine leiomyomas.

Objective: To determine whether there are differences in proliferative and apoptotic activity and in expression of sex steroid receptors between central and peripheral parts of human uterine leiomyomas in different menstrual cycle phases.

Methods: Biopsy specimens of the myometrium and peripheral and central parts of uterine leiomyomas were obtained from 15 women in the proliferative phase and 8 women in the secretory phase. Mitotic cells were detected by immunohistochemical staining for Ki67.

Effects of SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) treatment on growth and proliferation in the rat uterus.

Background: Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been developed in order to create means to control estrogenic effects on different tissues. A major drawback in treatment of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer with the antagonist tamoxifen (TAM) is its agonistic effect in the endometrium. Raloxifene (RAL) is the next generation of SERMs where the agonistic effect on the endometrium has been reduced.

Increased level of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the ripening process of the human cervix.

The human uterine cervix is a fibrous organ with a high connective tissue content. An extensive remodeling of the connective tissue prior to parturition, i.e.