Quantitative analysis of estrogen receptor alpha and beta messenger ribonucleic acid levels in normal endometrium and ovarian endometriotic cysts using a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the two estrogen receptor isoforms, estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) and estrogen receptor-beta (ER-beta) in the eutopic endometrium and ovarian endometriotic cysts.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Patients with endometriosis and patients with uterine leiomyoma or carcinoma in situ.


METHODS
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a)-treated (n = 12) or untreated (n = 24) endometriotic cysts were obtained from 36 patients during laparoscopic cystectomy. Eutopic endometrium tissues were obtained from 24 patients during or immediately after surgery.


METHODS
ER-alpha and ER-beta mRNA levels, using a real-time reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, TaqMan RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Eutopic endometrium and ovarian endometriotic cysts showed predominantly higher levels of ER-alpha mRNA than ER-beta mRNA. Although ER-alpha and ER-beta mRNA levels in the eutopic endometrium were affected by a cyclic change in ovarian hormones, ovarian endometriotic cysts were less affected. Moreover, a long-term hypoestrogenic state induced by GnRH-a especially decreased ER-alpha mRNA levels in endometriotic cysts. Consequently, the relative ratios of ER-alpha to ER-beta mRNA levels in both GnRH-a-treated and untreated endometriotic cysts were significantly lower than those in the eutopic endometrium.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the principal and regulatory effects of estrogens may be mediated mainly via ER-alpha rather than ER-beta in both the eutopic endometrium and endometriotic cysts.
Matsuzaki
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. matsuzaki@ob-gy.med.tohoku.ac.jp
Uehara
S
S
Murakami
T
T
Fujiwara
J
J
Funato
T
T
Okamura
K
K
D000328:Adult; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D016729:Leuprolide